One had to admire the efficiency of a woman in love.
No sooner had Zhang Tianxing conceived the idea of buying back the Pig Head bronze, than Jian Ai put it into action.
What to do when you encounter a problem? You have your best friend here, and a best friend is meant to solve problems.
Jian Ai brought Zhang Tianxing directly to Sarah and stated her purpose clearly: "Sarah, I need the collector's information for the Pig Head bronze. We want to buy it."
Hearing Jian Ai's words, Sarah was utterly astonished. What was going on? She had never known her best friend had such a hobby.
"This might not be a good idea. Besides, this isn't something I'm handling directly. However, if you want it, I'll definitely do my best to fulfill your wish. Wait for my good news," Sarah said with a smile, assuring Jian Ai as she saw her serious expression.
Jian Ai glanced back at Zhang Tianxing. He nodded. Haste makes waste; this couldn't be rushed. Since the Pig Head bronze was at the exhibition, it meant the collector was willing to sell.
Jian Ai and Zhang Tianxing left. Just as Jian Ai was about to say something, Zhang Tianxing's phone rang. "It's me, Old Kellen. What's up? Okay, I'll head to Morgan Stanley's investment bank to find you later."
"Zhang Tianxing, did something happen? Didn't you close your Nasdaq short position? Why would Morgan Stanley still be looking for you, and what do they want?" Jian Ai asked with some curiosity.
Zhang Tianxing's shorting of the Nasdaq was a stroke of genius, a legend in the American investment world. It was a divine operation, with very few people able to accurately pinpoint the peak and act on it.
"It's something else. I'm acquiring stocks of a company. The company's fundamentals have changed, and Morgan Stanley wants to know if I'm continuing. I need to go. I'm truly sorry," Zhang Tianxing felt a bit apologetic towards the blonde girl.
The beautiful girl drove him in her sports car to see an exhibition, only for them to look at a pig's head.
Zhang Tianxing didn't know why, but from the moment he saw the Pig Head bronze, a voice deep within him told him to bring it back to China.
Not for any other reason than to remember the history of humiliation. This was the heritage of the Chinese nation, a witness to over a hundred years of history.
He hadn't even spent proper time with the blonde girl, and Zhang Tianxing looked troubled.
"It's okay. As long as I'm with you, I'm happy doing anything. Aren't you going to Morgan Stanley? I'll drive you, my knight," Jian Ai said to Zhang Tianxing.
With that, Jian Ai started her expensive sports car. As long as Zhang Tianxing needed her, she would be his dedicated chauffeur.
"Thank you," Zhang Tianxing didn't know what else to say. In the end, all his unspoken words condensed into a single "thank you."
Zhang Tianxing understood Jian Ai's feelings perfectly, but he couldn't accept them. It was a case of mistaken affection. Jian Ai was just an innocent young girl, and Zhang Tianxing had coincidentally saved her life.
This was a misplaced affection within destiny. If they were meant to be, they would surely meet, connect, and eventually be together at some point in time and place.
The journey was silent, almost too quiet in the sports car. Jian Ai thought about Zhang Tianxing not directly responding to her feelings.
"Zhang Tianxing, our lifestyles are different, and sometimes our ways of expressing emotions are different. I hope you don't misunderstand," Jian Ai said with a light laugh.
She was giving herself an out. If they couldn't develop into lovers, they could still be good friends.
If not lovers, then friends. Just being able to accompany Zhang Tianxing, watching his busy figure, Jian Ai felt that was also a form of happiness.
Upon arriving at Morgan Stanley, Old Kellen let out a sigh of relief when he saw Zhang Tianxing. He had been incredibly nervous moments before.
This was Zhang Tianxing's account, the formidable figure known as the number one short-seller.
"Mr. Zhang, it's like this. The stock of Net One has now fallen below one dollar, currently at $0.69. We've initially built our positions, but Net One's financial report is out now. Please take a look." Old Kellen prepared to explain to Zhang Tianxing.
"No need to look. Net One's financial report won't be good," Zhang Tianxing said calmly.
"Mr. Zhang is wise and mighty! Net One's financial report isn't just not good; it's terrible. The operating revenue is so tiny, and the expenses are so high. This is completely disregarding investors' money. Mr. Zhang, Net One's delisting is certain; it won't meet the Nasdaq listing standards. Should we stop buying Net One's stock? Otherwise, all this money will go down the drain."
Old Kellen explained everything in one breath. In his opinion, Net One's delisting was a foregone conclusion.
With Net One's fundamentals deteriorating and falling below the crucial one-dollar mark, if it remained below one dollar for a period, Net One would surely be delisted.
Zhang Tianxing's money would be completely lost. Old Kellen was now utterly impressed by Zhang Tianxing's judgment.
When Net One's stock was at nine dollars, he had predicted it would fall below one dollar. This wave of the internet bubble had crushed ninety percent of internet companies.
However, despite all calculations, he hadn't foreseen Net One's delisting. Thinking of Zhang Tianxing's acumen in the investment world, Old Kellen decided to foster a good relationship and advised Zhang Tianxing to cut his losses.
"This is a minor issue. Proceed with the plan to increase holdings," Zhang Tianxing said lightly. It was such a small matter; Ding Sanshi wouldn't let Net One be delisted.
Old Kellen was stunned. "Mr. Zhang, for your own good, it's best to listen to advice. I shouldn't normally say this, but I feel like you're one of us, so I'm expressing my opinion."
"I trust my judgment. If Net One gets delisted, then so be it. Since it can make money, I can afford to lose," Zhang Tianxing said dismissively.
How many internet technology companies were profitable? Very few. E-commerce hadn't taken off yet, and online copyright wasn't valued. The ways to profit online were extremely limited; the soil was not fertile enough to grow abundant fruit.
Old Kellen was almost driven mad. His years of experience rarely led him astray, and this time, Net One was definitely not going to fare well. Even if it wasn't delisted, could its stock price rise again? It was basically impossible.
But Zhang Tianxing was determined to be a shareholder of Net One, and Old Kellen could do nothing about it.
That's right, this was Zhang Tianxing's style. If Zhang Tianxing listened to others, he would never have succeeded in shorting the Nasdaq.
Old Kellen suddenly remembered when Zhang Tianxing shorted the Nasdaq, no one was optimistic about him, but the facts proved Zhang Tianxing was right, and all the experts and scholars were wrong.
Could this be a repeat of last time? Old Kellen was lost. Should he follow suit and invest a little? Old Kellen steeled himself. Damn it, copycatting is the way to go! I'll copy his homework with five thousand dollars. Old Kellen could afford to lose five thousand dollars.
At worst, he'd just consider it spending money on a trip for leisure and treatment...