Financial Workplace Survival Guide – CH 036

Chapter 36 ☆, Capital Warfare: Despicable and Dark.

Xin Xin and Zheng Zaochuan fell into an unspoken cold war.

They lived under the same roof, yet miraculously, they never met. Undefined relationships were the most relaxing, but they also left the least reason to seek each other out.

Jealousy, envy, or anger; possessiveness, questioning, or concern—it was difficult to find a reasonable boundary in an undefined space.

Xin Xin suddenly realized that in all their years together, Zheng Zaochuan had mostly approached her. If he didn’t show up for a while, she would find it difficult to find a past experience of approaching him.

After opening and closing the message box several times, Xin Xin decided to investigate the stock price manipulation first, then take the opportunity to contact Zheng Zaochuan.

Proving that one person controlled multiple personal accounts, it was difficult to find evidence. After all, due diligence was about everything. Regardless if someone claimed to be using their personal accounts, if they insisted they didn’t lend or rent them out, it was all conjecture.

Xin Xin requested a year’s worth of data from Fengchun Group and the securities account data screened by Wang Zhuo. She planned to conduct a comprehensive analysis based on transaction amounts and volumes and submit the case to the China Securities Regulatory Commission once the evidence was solid.

But it was clear that the other party was no pushover.

The data arrived in Xin Xin’s hands on Monday, and Chen Lisha called Xin Xin to her office on Tuesday.

“Xin Xin, you know our client named Zhou Lixia.”

It was the client suspected of stock price manipulation.

Xin Xin was silent for a moment. “I know.”

Chen Lisha glanced at her. “Mr. Zhang from the VIP Account Department at head office called today. This Ms. Zhou also has a lot of business at head office. Talk to Wang Zhuo. The problematic accounts can be resolved, and other services will continue as normal.”

What a quick move.

Xin Xin understood. Su Chengjie must have already known about this.

“Ms. Chen, she controlled multiple accounts. Based on irrefutable evidence, individuals associated with Fengchun Group are suspected of securities market manipulation.”

Chen Lisha raised her eyes. “You made that decision?”

Xin Xin was stunned. “What?”

Chen Lisha looked at Xin Xin with a half-smile. “Ms. Zhou has no connection to Fengchun Group. The chain of evidence you need to prove she controlled multiple securities accounts and engaged in securities market manipulation is extremely complex. You can’t make that determination based on just one sentence.”

Xin Xin’s blood instantly cooled. Chen Lisha was right.

Chen Lisha continued, “What’s more, have you considered that even if you submit the evidence, Su Chengjie might be capable of suppressing it?”

Xin Xin understood what Chen Lisha meant. Trying to stand up to Su Chengjie on her own was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Su Chengjie had deep roots in Haining City’s big capital, and their interests were complex and intertwined.

Even if Xin Xin could uncover all the clues, the most she could do was prove that Zhou Lixia personally manipulated Fengchun Group’s stock price through multiple securities accounts. Further proof of the connection between Fengchun Group and Zhou Lixia would require countless layers of financial data.

It might not prove any connection to Su Chengjie, and it might even offend him.

Xin Xin was disheartened and said unwillingly, “It’s truly unfair to allow these big capitals to exploit retail investors in the market.”

Chen Lisha smiled. “Xin Xin, the capital market is all about capital. All we can do is report any issues we discover. But we’re not a regulatory agency, much less a prosecutor’s office. Whether something is illegal, or to what extent, is not our concern.”

Xin Xin intellectually felt that Chen Lisha’s words were sound. But emotionally, she couldn’t bear to let someone like Su Chengjie, who often resorted to shady means to profit, off.

Back in the office, Xin Xin opened the Hanhai Group website and saw no announcement regarding a change in major shareholders.

It seemed that, at least for now, Su Chengjie hadn’t made any major moves.

Xin Xin breathed a sigh of relief and subconsciously sent a WeChat message to Zheng Zaochuan: “How are you doing lately? Have you and Su Chengjie resolved the situation?”

After sending the message, Xin Xin suddenly came to her senses and quickly deleted it.

But the next second, the reply followed: “Why would you delete it? It’s so tense, a life-or-death situation.”

Zheng Zaochuan’s response was natural and honest.

Xin Xin then realized there wasn’t any unspoken cold war; perhaps everything was just her own internal drama.

This left her feeling deeply conflicted: on one hand, she was unwilling to accept the situation, but on the other, she felt relieved. Tormented by these two complex emotions, she ultimately decided to make a foolish escape.

“Will you be home this afternoon? I have something to tell you.”

Zheng Zaochuan arrived home at eight o’clock that evening, exhausted. When he wasn’t cooking, Xin Xin kept things simple; a bowl of noodles each would do for the two of them.

After finishing her meal, Xin Xin eagerly asked, “Do you know Zhou Lixia?”

Zheng Zaochuan frowned. “I’ve never heard of her.”

Xin Xin told Zheng Zaochuan the entire story.

Speaking of her original intention to investigate thoroughly, regardless of the cost, and her subsequent interview with Chen Lisha, Xin Xin angrily replied, “I’ll write the suspicious transaction report myself. Whether they decide is their business, but whether I report it or not is my business.”

Zheng Zaochuan looked at Xin Xin quietly, then suddenly smiled. “Are you doing this for justice or for me?”

Xin Xin’s heart skipped a beat, and she answered honestly, “Both.”

Zheng Zaochuan reached out and touched Xin Xin’s head. Before she could complain about her messed-up hair, he suddenly pulled her into his arms.

“Let me lean on you for a moment.”

Xin Xin struggled, wanting to joke, “Don’t think you can get me to surrender by repeatedly tempting me.” Instead, she heard Zheng Zaochuan sigh softly, a sigh of exhaustion.

Zheng Zaochuan never complained of being tired. Even in the most difficult times, he never looked downcast.

But this sigh, and this barely visible vulnerability, made Xin Xin realize that Zheng Zaochuan was, in fact, just an ordinary person. He got tired and felt down.

She remained motionless, letting Zheng Zaochuan lean against her.

After a while, Zheng Zaochuan let go of her, and a broad smile appeared on his face.

“Star, just take care of yourself. Whatever you have to do, don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

He didn’t appreciate it, and Xin Xin was a little angry. “I’m meddling in your business.”

An inexplicable sense of grievance welled up in Xin Xin. She turned to leave, but Zheng Zaochuan grabbed her arm.

He was a little anxious but seemed at a loss for words. “That’s not what I meant.”

Xin Xin smiled. “I know that’s not what you meant. Just like I don’t want to live in your house, you don’t want me to interfere in your affairs. We’re like a pair of stars, seemingly close to the naked eye, but the distance is measured in light-years.”

Zheng Zaochuan said nothing and let go of Xin Xin.

Xin Xin gave a wry smile, went into her room, and closed the door, as if that would dispel her unspoken emotions.

But in the end, Xin Xin still worked a few days of overtime, finished writing the suspicious transaction report, and submitted it.

Her lease had also expired. She had been planning to look for properties, but because of moving to Zheng Zaochuan’s house and a bunch of other issues, she had put it on hold.

Now, because of their complicated relationship, the idea of ​​buying a house once again surfaced in Xin Xin’s mind.

Mary, after hearing the whole story, concluded with a final, decisive tone: “You guys are truly sick.”

Xin Xin frowned. “Don’t curse.”

Mary said seriously, “I’m not cursing. I’m serious. Are you both avoidant types?”

“What type?”

“Basically, you’re like hedgehogs. When you see each other, you think they’re your own kind. But you don’t dare get close because you can see their quills. To avoid being pricked by their quills, you decide to stay away. But even then, you’re drawn to each other again, and you always think the other person is the only hedgehog in the world.”

Xin Xin looked innocent. “I’m also a hedgehog… I even feel like a soft-shelled creature.”

Mary shook her finger. “You’re totally wrong. You appear docile on the surface, but you’re the mastermind. Your kindness to him can be withdrawn at any moment. When you’re happy, you flirt with him. When you’re unhappy, you call him a client.”

Xin Xin disagreed. “You don’t understand Zheng Zaochuan. Men like him don’t get hurt. If you show your love for him, he’ll run away as fast as he can.”

Mary said, with compassionate concern, “All humans get hurt. It’s pitiful that you thought he wouldn’t get hurt.”

Thankfully, despite all her talk, Mary remained loyal. She put aside her affectionate boyfriend and accompanied Xin Xin on her house-hunting adventure.

House hunting was similar to finding a partner.

As long as you’re not planning on buying, you’ll think this and that are good. Once you’re ready to buy, you’ll start to see some issues with this and that.

After a day of searching, Xin Xin sadly realized that while expensive houses might not always satisfy you, cheap houses are generally unsatisfying.

Seeing her despair, the agent quickly said, “There’s another apartment next door. The location and price are both suitable. The owner is a young woman who renovated it two years ago and is selling it because she changed jobs.”

Xin Xin was exhausted, but the agent’s strong recommendation, plus the fact it was right next door, made her regroup and give it another look.

Unexpectedly, this time, the agent’s praise was spot on.

Xin Xin was already impressed upon entering the complex. The pavilions and towers were decorated in an antique style, and the greenery and surroundings were excellent. The apartment was on the fifteenth floor, and the rooms were small, perfect for living alone.

The house’s decor was also unique: simple and rustic yet distinctive, not a knock-off of a pre-furnished apartment.

“This house is really nice and tastefully decorated,” Mary said, expressing her admiration for the interiors for the first time.

Xin Xin nodded and toured the rooms.

Just then, someone opened the door and walked in from the sunset. A thin figure, his face indistinct. But Xin Xin turned around and saw Mary’s cheerful expression suddenly become stiff and wooden. Her rosy complexion, bathed in the setting sun, paled in an instant.

However, it all seemed like an illusion to Xin Xin.

In a moment, Mary had returned to normal, smiling and greeting the visitor. “Long time no see. Are you looking at the house?”

Only when the man entered did Xin Xin get a clearer look. He was thinner and sharper than before, with a stern, austere air.

It was Mary’s ex-fiancé, Han Canghai.

Han Canghai’s eyes seemed to flash a subtle panic, but he quickly concealed it. “This is my friend’s house. I came here to pick up a painting for her.”

Mary’s gaze fell on the small painting of the Nine-Colored Deer on the living room table, and she suddenly remembered the girl she had met on the cruise ship. She remembered that girl’s name: Muyang.

As if her long-held suspicions had been confirmed, Mary felt as if a sharp awl had pierced her heart, the pain so intense that it practically froze the blood in her body.

For a long time, Mary thought the pain she’d suffered from Han Canghai was over. However, upon seeing him again, she realized that blocking him and drastically changing his contact information had all been self-deception.

Xin Xin’s satisfaction with the house now turned to regret.

If she had known this tragic coincidence would occur, she wouldn’t have looked at this particular house.

“We’re done. Let’s go.”

The agent watched them go from being very satisfied with the house to this mournful atmosphere, feeling rather bewildered and lost.

“This house is really nice. Take another look…” Xin Xin flatly rejected the agent’s offer. “If you’re not satisfied, look at something else.”

They practically fled. Xin Xin glanced back before leaving, but the backlight prevented her from seeing Han Canghai’s expression. In that magnificent sunset, perhaps it was a random reverie, but Xin Xin inexplicably felt that Han Canghai seemed a bit lonely.