Chapter 1796: The Spirit of Hong Kong

While a group of people were meeting at TVB, Zhao Fusheng, under Gu Zai's lead, went to eat at Tsim Sha Tsui.

This is really delicious.

Fan Baobao ate with great delight, saying happily to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng looked at her with deep affection, then turned to Gu Zai: "Thank you for coming all this way to accompany us."

As he spoke, he smiled and said, "I see you turned down quite a bit of work today, didn't you?"

After all, Gu Zai was a star with a daily schedule; to drop everything and accompany them like this, he must have canceled many appointments.

Mr. Zhao, you're too kind.

Gu Zai was quite honest, nodding to Zhao Fusheng: "You are my benefactor. If I didn't accompany you and Mrs. Zhao when you came here, that would be my fault."

That was just how he was—he always repaid kindness. Zhao Fusheng had helped him resolve the issue of being blacklisted by Emperor Entertainment, and Gu Zai had always been grateful.

But Zhao Fusheng's status was too high, and he never had a chance to repay him. Now that he had the opportunity to accompany Mr. and Mrs. Zhao on a tour of Hong Kong, he certainly wouldn't let it slip.

As for his schedule, he could just postpone it a few days; at worst, he would apologize to the people involved.

Zhao Fusheng smiled. He truly liked Gu Zai's character.

"How about this: no matter what appointments you canceled, if your agent asks, just tell them you were being a tour guide for me."

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and said to Gu Zai, "With my status, I should have some influence."

Gu Zai was startled, then overjoyed, nodding repeatedly.

He naturally understood what Zhao Fusheng meant—he wanted to help him avoid unnecessary trouble.

After all, Hong Kong was a place with deep waters. Those big companies could indeed be troublesome at times, but with Zhao Fusheng as a shield, few would dare to act rashly.

The reason was simple: no one wanted to be at odds with money.

This was no joke. Who would want to offend a billionaire?

The answer was simple.

No one.

Hong Kong was such a realistic society.

Over the long term, British colonial rule had created a materialistic social foundation here, where the status of money was unimaginably high.

Many people often talk about the spirit of Hong Kong.

What is the spirit of Hong Kong?

In the eyes of many mainlanders, the spirit of Hong Kong is more often a mixed, complex, and hazy feeling seen in various Hong Kong films and TV dramas.

This 'Hong Kong flavor,' like fog, wind, and rain, sometimes embodies the fighting spirit of 'betting it all to turn a bicycle into a motorcycle,' sometimes the ordinary 'family should be together,' sometimes the fierce and thrilling 'what goes around comes around,' and sometimes the simple 'the most important thing in life is to be happy.'

According to Baidu Baike, the spirit of Hong Kong is a spirit of hard work, diligence, enterprise, flexibility, and self-reliance—the source of Hong Kong's enduring prosperity and a precious spiritual asset.

And how did this spirit of Hong Kong come about?

In the 1970s, there was a TV series in Hong Kong called 'Below the Lion Rock.' It depicted the collective struggle of ordinary people striving for a better life, recording the evolution of Hong Kong society from the 1970s to the 1990s through vivid stories. The series caused a sensation across Hong Kong upon its release, and until 1994, it continued to tell inspirational stories of ordinary Hong Kong citizens overcoming adversity and persevering.

The theme song of the same name, 'Below the Lion Rock,' sang of the harmony, optimism, unity, and fearlessness of the citizens who met below Lion Rock as they built their own homes, as well as their solidarity, mutual assistance, and tolerance in adversity. It resonated with all Hong Kong people and became a hit across the city.

But in reality?

The so-called Lion Rock spirit, at its core, is about living a better life.

How can one live a better life?

Of course, by having money!

So in Hong Kong, people look down on the poor but not on prostitutes. As long as you're willing to pay, someone will do any business.

It was precisely for this reason that Zhao Fusheng took the initiative to tell Gu Zai to use his name to avoid being targeted.

"Chairman, a call from Chairman Tan."

As they were eating, Wu Sijie approached Zhao Fusheng and said.

Zhao Fusheng nodded, took the phone, and answered.

"What's up?"

"Just to let you know, I used 100 million US dollars and successfully raised TVB's stock by 6%," Tan Kaixuan said somewhat listlessly on the other end. "No resistance at all. Boring."

"Don't rush."

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "I expect they'll make a move tomorrow."

"No problem. I've prepared 500 million for them."

Tan Kaixuan said confidently, "I guarantee that tomorrow's increase will be about the same as today's."

"And then?"

Zhao Fusheng was somewhat surprised. According to Tan Kaixuan's approach, were he and he really going to become shareholders of Wireless?

"And then? Of course, cash out and leave."

Tan Kaixuan said matter-of-factly, "Come on, we're here to cause trouble, not to be the real owners of this stock."

"..."

Zhao Fusheng was speechless. After a long pause, he said, "You bastard, you're so cunning."

"Get lost!" Tan Kaixuan retorted without hesitation. "I'm just following someone's orders to give Wireless a good thrashing."

"If there's nothing else, hang up. Remember to bring your wife."

Zhao Fusheng hung up without a second word. Honestly, this guy always liked to tell the truth.

Didn't he know that telling the truth could kill people...

Gu Zai was a bit embarrassed. Zhao Fusheng hadn't deliberately avoided him while on the phone, and he could faintly hear Tan Kaixuan's voice from the other end.

"It's nothing."

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Gu Zai, "If you hold any Wireless stock, sell it as soon as possible."

After a pause, he kindly added, "If any of your friends have it, tell them to sell it quickly too."

"Chairman Zhao, you mean..." Gu Zai was startled, looking at Zhao Fusheng in surprise.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged: "Wireless's stock rose today, and it will rise again tomorrow, but the day after tomorrow, I can't guarantee it, because my friend will dump the stock. Unless Wireless's shareholders are willing to spend money to support the stock, otherwise, this round, they'll just be taking over our position, that's all."

Capital operations sound simple, but in reality, they're not that easy. Still, Zhao Fusheng tried to explain it to Gu Zai in simple terms.

In short, Tan Kaixuan would manipulate funds to drive up Wireless's stock price, then quietly sell once the profit reached a certain level.

After he exited, he would officially announce and clarify the rumors, stating that his hedge fund had no interest in a garbage company like Wireless.

After that, Wireless's stock price would inevitably plummet.

And those who bought at the high would be trapped.

Of course, because Zhao Fusheng only wanted to teach Wireless a lesson, Tan Kaixuan didn't plan to play too big, intending to raise the stock price by just over ten percent and then stop.

If you really want to play rough!

That's how many so-called monster stocks in China trap countless retail investors.

In the early stage, they use large capital and positive news to drive up the stock price. Once retail investors start entering and push the price higher, they quietly exit and then go short.

That's the typical tactic most institutions use when manipulating monster stocks.

Zhao Fusheng didn't have a deep understanding of the stock market; he could only explain it to Gu Zai to this extent.

But even so, it made Gu Zai's face turn pale.

"So, if someone follows the trend and buys TVB stock, they're likely to lose money?" After a long while, Gu Zai looked at Zhao Fusheng and asked cautiously.

Hearing his question, Zhao Fusheng laughed: "Not necessarily. It depends on how greedy they are. If they buy in today and exit before tomorrow's market close, they won't lose money—they'll even make a profit."

He paused, then shrugged: "But if they're too greedy, it's uncertain. They might get trapped, keep adding positions, and eventually become a real shareholder."

Gu Zai was stunned. At that moment, he realized that this man, who chatted and laughed with him with a warm smile, was also a financial shark.

At this moment, he felt immense regret. Whether it was She Shiman or Le Yiling, they had both missed the opportunity. If they had been more resolute during the day's events and sided with Zhao Fusheng, they might have gained even more benefits now.

"Alright."

Seeing Gu Zai's emotional expression, Zhao Fusheng couldn't help but laugh: "You, always worrying about others. I suggest you find a girlfriend soon and get married. Don't end up single and become an old man."

"Haha, not that bad, not that bad."

Gu Zai was speechless at Zhao Fusheng's words and waved his hand: "I think matters of the heart depend on fate."

Fate?

Zhao Fusheng was too lazy to comment on this guy.

In his memory from his previous life, apart from a long-term girlfriend who eventually broke up with him, Gu Zai never had a public girlfriend. Even after turning fifty, he remained a single dog.

Even though he was the heartthrob Gu Zai, the problem was that his contemporaries, like Nick Cheung, all had happy families and fulfilling lives, while he was alone doing charity. This feeling probably annoyed every fan of Gu Zai.

At his level, many fans liked not just his work, but also him as a person.

Of course, they hoped he would find his other half soon and have his own happiness.

"Let me tell you, fate also requires you to take the initiative."

Fan Baobao, thinking of her own journey with Zhao Fusheng, smiled at Gu Zai: "Don't worry, if you get married, I'll definitely give you a big red envelope!"

Gu Zai was stunned. Were this couple planning to play matchmaker for him?