Chapter 0331: Like Father, Like Son

Liquidating positions is a term in stock trading, meaning to sell all the stocks one holds. Zhao Fusheng's attitude was resolute, completely unexpected.

Tan's father initially wanted to say something, but seeing his son aligned with Zhao Fusheng, he fell silent.

With only a dozen minutes left before market close, Tan's father watched Zhao Fusheng and Tan Kaixuan return and couldn't help asking, "Have you two decided?"

Zhao Fusheng and Tan Kaixuan exchanged a glance and laughed.

"Dad, I think if you lack self-control, you can't play the stock market," Tan Kaixuan said to his parents. "Lao Zhao and I have already doubled our money this round; there's no need to keep waiting."

"But what if it keeps hitting the daily limit next week?"

Tan's mother frowned. Clearly, she was reluctant.

Zhao Fusheng smiled. "Auntie, it will likely rise next week, but it could also pull back. This rally might last until summer, but the question is, do we need to bet all our capital? Especially since we've already made money, is the risk worth it?"

Tan's mother was stunned, unable to speak for a long time. Tan's father kept frowning, saying nothing.

He had to admit that although Zhao Fusheng's words seemed simple, few could truly act on them.

Why does the stock market become a place of heartbreak for many? To put it bluntly, it's not because these people are stupid. Those who have money to trade stocks are all shrewd; they only think of making more money when they have spare cash.

But why do they all end up defeated?

The reason is simple: greed.

The desire for success drives people to make short-sighted decisions, like Tan's mother now, like most people in the market. Lately, Tan's father's ears were filled with news of surging stocks; suddenly, countless stock gurus appeared around him, each able to explain the ins and outs of stocks eloquently.

But if even the most ordinary old lady knows how to make money trading stocks, who loses?

Many might understand this logic, but everyone thinks that as long as they are careful, they won't be the unlucky one.

"Close positions after making a little profit"—many enter the market with this mindset, only to sink deeper and deeper, eventually unable to extricate themselves, even losing everything.

Everyone has heard the truth; the reason they don't live well is still due to wishful thinking, or to put it more clearly, they haven't truly understood or internalized it.

But Tan's father never expected that someone as young as Zhao Fusheng would know when to stop.

After all, even he, facing such huge profits, was uneasy and torn about whether to quit now.

Yet Zhao Fusheng not only decisively closed positions and left but also convinced his son, who always charged ahead without looking back. This made Tan's father see him in a new light.

"The risk isn't worth it, but with the market so good now, we..." Tan's mother opened her mouth to say more, but Tan's father waved his hand, gave Zhao Fusheng a meaningful look, and said, "Let's go. We'll close positions too. If you want to buy, just pick a few low-priced stocks and invest a modest amount."

Tan's mother was startled and looked at her husband in surprise, but saw his serious expression.

After so many years of marriage, she knew well that when her husband wore that expression, he wasn't consulting her but giving an order.

Just like when he took all the family savings to buy stock subscription warrants; almost everyone opposed his decision, but time proved him right.

Now, Tan's father had shown his resolve with his attitude. Tan's mother dared not delay and quickly went to the trading counter to liquidate their positions as well.

As for buying stocks, she didn't decide immediately; there was plenty of time over the weekend to screen at home.

Like seasoned investors, they usually kept an eye on stock information but didn't always enter the market.

Watching his parents' actions, Tan Kaixuan smiled, clearly pleased.

Tan's father glanced at his son. "Brat, what are you so happy about?"

"I think Lao Zhao and I made the right choice. Stopping while ahead is indeed correct," Tan Kaixuan said with a smile.

Tan's father nodded. "Good for you, son. It took me until thirty-five to learn that lesson; you've learned it now. Not easy."

Tan Kaixuan chuckled. "Like father, like son. Don't worry, Dad, I'll definitely surpass you."

"Brat, no matter how good you are, you're still my son!"

Tan's father tapped Tan Kaixuan on the head, smiled, and said to Tan's mother and Zhao Fusheng, "Let's go."

The group left the stock exchange. As they walked out the door, Zhao Fusheng let out a long breath.

"What, having regrets?"

Tan Kaixuan walked ahead with his mother. Tan's father smiled and asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head. "Uncle Tan, to be honest, I've told myself that no matter what I do, I won't look back, because regret doesn't solve anything; it only adds more worries."

Tan's father was taken aback, then laughed. "Yes, we always say, 'If I hadn't done that back then, maybe things would be different.' But the thing is, if you had made another choice, it might have been better than now, or it might have been worse."

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "Yes, the cruelty of time is that it makes us wait for the truth but gives us no compensation, only letting us experience the taste of life ourselves."

"Alright, you're young, don't be so pessimistic all the time." Tan's father patted Zhao Fusheng on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Thanks to you, Uncle made a lot of money. Today, I'll treat you to a meal. Order whatever you want."

He was genuinely happy. Zhao Fusheng's tip had earned him so much money; treating him to a meal was the least he could do, even giving an expensive gift wouldn't be too much.

But he didn't do that, because he could see that Zhao Fusheng truly regarded Tan Kaixuan as a friend. If he rashly measured their friendship with material things, it would seem inappropriate.

They first went home to pick up Tan Kaixin. She had no idea what had happened. Lately, her parents seemed in good spirits, often discussing the stock market. Now it seemed there was a result?

Leaning close to her daughter, she whispered the whole story. Tan Kaixin looked at her parents in surprise, then turned her gaze to Zhao Fusheng. She never expected such a thing to happen.

What surprised her even more was that her brother's roommate could rationally choose to pull out under those circumstances.

Tan Kaixin didn't understand stocks, but she wasn't stupid. Often, the hardest enemy to overcome is one's own greed.

And clearly, Zhao Fusheng was a person with particularly strong willpower.

A person who follows through on their words undoubtedly earns the respect of many.

They arrived at the Grand Hyatt Jin Mao. Standing downstairs, Zhao Fusheng looked up at the eighty-eight-story building and smiled. "Uncle Tan, this place isn't cheap."

After all, this was recognized by Guinness as the world's highest hotel. The Jin Mao Club Shanghai Restaurant on the eighty-sixth floor offered a panoramic view of both sides of the Huangpu River. On cloudy days, the sea of clouds made one feel as if in a sky city.

Tan's father smiled. "Uncle is happy today. Your aunt has transferred the money out of the stock market. Come on, let's go upstairs."

Tan Kaixuan also said, "Yeah, my dad rarely treats. Don't you dare refuse."

Zhao Fusheng nodded helplessly. With such a warm invitation, it would be pretentious to refuse. Even if he ate like crazy, it would only cost a few thousand, a drop in the bucket for Tan's father, who had just made over four million today.

With that thought, Zhao Fusheng stopped being polite, smiled slightly, and walked into the Grand Hyatt with the Tan family.