Chapter 740
The conversation quickly turned to a discussion of the stock market.
The curly-haired woman said excitedly, "Teacher Jiang is right. I've always said stocks are bad! How is it any different from gambling? Now look what's going on! Someone's dead!"
Her permed curls bounced up and down with her intense movements, like a ball of angry black flame.
The old comrade in the Zhongshan suit slowly took off his reading glasses, wiped the lenses with the corner of his clothes, and said in a steady voice like an old wood:
"That's not true. The stock market is now recognized by the state, and some people have indeed made money from it."
He put his glasses back on, his eyes narrowed behind the lenses. "It all depends on one's vision and luck. If you're not destined to be rich, it's useless no matter how hard you try."
"How many people can actually make money? How can it be so easy that pie falls from the sky without any work? If it were you, the authorities should shut down the stock market to prevent this kind of thing from happening again!"
The debate became more and more heated, and the people gathered together to discuss the issue split into two camps. One camp believed that the stock market was a disaster and must be strictly regulated; the other camp believed that the problem lay in personal greed and that one should not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
After listening to this, Su Yuanzheng and the other two went home with gloomy faces.
Seeing them come in, Pan's mother quickly stood up: "What's going on? I just heard someone shouting downstairs that Section Chief Li fell down the stairs... Is it true..."
Dad Pan nodded and took off his coat, which was covered with some dust from the corridor.
"It's Li Mei. She's been taken to the hospital...it's a bit difficult."
"Why is this? Was it an accident? Did you slip?"
Pan's mother and Li Mei are colleagues in the same unit and have lived in the same compound for so many years, which is a bit hard for them to accept.
"It wasn't a slip. His relatives said he jumped down on his own. The specific reason is still unclear, but from what I heard from other neighbors, it seems to be..."
The three of them relayed what they had just heard downstairs to Su Miao and Pan Ma.
The living room was silent, with only the ticking of the wall clock, which seemed particularly harsh.
The house, which was bustling just a moment ago, was suddenly shrouded in sadness and depression.
Mother Pan remembered that her two children were also investing in stocks, so she nervously pulled Su Miao aside and asked:
"Miao Miao, are you and your fat brother still buying stocks? They've really fallen so much?"
The fat boy next to him answered, "Mom, Miaomiao is different from Section Chief Li. She understands finance and sees every step clearly. We had already liquidated our positions before the Shenzhen stock price plummeted, which means we took out all the money."
We are now buying Shanghai stocks, and not only have they not fallen, but they have continued to rise. They have increased many times over, and the increase is even greater than when we bought Shenzhen stocks before!"
After the shock of what just happened, Pan's father also became cautious:
"Really? Tell me honestly, you really didn't lose any money?"
"Oh! You still don't believe me? I'll go get the watch!"
Seeing that his father was still skeptical, the little fat brother went straight to the room to get the chart he made and showed it to the elders. He ran so fast that his slippers slipped and he almost fell.
"I contacted two people there and they reported the Shanghai market data to me every day. This is the chart I drew myself, and it's all going up."
It was the first time for the three elders to see such a stock market chart. Although not all of them could understand it, it was obvious that the curve was climbing upward.
Dad Pan's brows gradually relaxed, and his fingers moved slowly along the curve, as if to confirm the authenticity of the line.
Pan Ma let out a long sigh, her shoulders visibly relaxed, and her voice softened:
"What you're investing in the stock market right now is just spare money. To be frank, be open-minded about whether you win or lose. Remember, our family isn't in such financial circumstances that we'd risk everything for a small fortune."
She thought of Section Chief Li being taken away by the ambulance and murmured, "You had a good life, but you had to take that risk. Now your family is broken up. What was the point..."
The fat boy also had a trace of fear on his face at this time. He said, "Mom, this is not taking risks, it's greed. I experienced that feeling of being high when I was clearing out my positions in the Shenzhen Stock Exchange."
His eyes became dazed, as if he had returned to that noisy exchange:
"Watching the money go up every day, my heart is pounding. I can't think calmly at all. If it weren't for Miaomiao controlling it, I would probably increase my position too."
Su Miao knew that Pan Ma was worried about them, afraid that if they lost money they would go to extremes like Section Chief Li, so she softened her voice and replied:
"Godmother, we know what's going on and we'll definitely pay attention. Stock trading isn't for everyone. You need to do good asset planning. Stock trading is a form of investment, and that requires both professional knowledge and a calm mindset."
You should not invest all your money, and you should not borrow money to invest in stocks.
Now that stocks, this new thing, are just beginning to be discovered by everyone, many of the problems encountered are not with stock trading itself, but with being too blind and greedy.
Many people only see the benefits but not the risks, and even increase leverage, pushing themselves into a dead end.”
Su Miao's mature insights put Pan's father and mother at ease. Pan's mother said:
"Miaomiao, I'm very confident in your work. You're a top student and live in the capital, so you've seen a lot and know a lot. Just keep an eye on your fat brother from now on, and don't get too carried away by him."
"Don't worry, godmother. I'll keep an eye on Little Fatty. He's experienced now and is very good at stock trading."
What was originally a good reunion was affected by this sudden situation.
Things like this happening in the compound always make people feel uneasy, and Xiaopang seized this opportunity to persuade his parents.
"Mom and Dad, why don't you move to the new house? The three-story self-built house outside has been renovated and is comfortable. You were reluctant to go there before, and now something like this has happened in the compound. I always feel it's not good. You should move."
Father Pan sighed and said:
"Let's think about it again. After all, we've lived here for a long time and have feelings for it. The big courtyard is full of colleagues from the unit and the interpersonal environment is comfortable. I always feel uncomfortable going out."
Su Miao took out the gift she was going to give to Pan Ma, an elegant wooden box.
When Pan Ma opened it, there was a string of red southern red bracelets inside. The texture was delicate, the jade was highly refined, and there were very few cracks and impurities.
Under normal circumstances, the two would definitely talk a lot about this bracelet, but now they both seem to be in no such good mood.
Mother Pan put the bracelet directly on her hand, touched it with love and said it was very good.
A police car arrived in the compound, so Su Yuanzheng and Su Miao did not stay any longer and made an appointment with the Pan family to meet again in a few days.
The three members of the Pan family went downstairs together and sent them to the car. Mother Pan quietly told Su Miao that when they got home, she should burn something before entering the house.
Su Miao nodded in agreement and said goodbye. Su Yuanzheng drove out of the compound.
Su Miao turned his head and looked back. The lights of the police car were still flashing, illuminating this Spring Festival night that should have been full of laughter.
In the distance, someone was still setting off firecrackers. The crackling sound carried far into the night, like a dirge for a lost life.
Su Miao felt mixed emotions. Li Mei's tragedy was like a mirror, reflecting the greed and fragility of human nature, as well as the confusion and struggle of those who were swept forward in the tide of the times.
I don’t know...if it’s the same for Wang Dachui.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
