PDLP Chapter 315 The Trend Has Been Set
Chapter 315 The Trend Has Been Set
Friday, January 7th.
The Wall Street Journal website updated its headline: "Soros warns: Hong Kong will pay the price for market intervention."
The article quotes Soros as saying, "The Hong Kong government's intervention will distort the market and ultimately lead to capital outflow. Investors will lose confidence in Hong Kong because no one wants to invest in a market where the rules can change at any time."
The article also quoted another hedge fund manager as saying, "We are closing our positions now not because we have lost, but because we do not want to go against the Hong Kong government. But in the long run, the market will win."
Chen Zi'ang saw a copy of the newspaper in the cafeteria. He placed the newspaper on the table and slowly read the article.
Then he folded the newspaper and set it aside.
"What do you think?" Zhang Mingyuan asked.
Chen Ziang raised his head.
"He can say what he wants," Chen Zi'ang said, "we'll do what we want."
Saturday, April 7.
The market is closed.
Ling Yun took An Shiyu to the top of Victoria Peak.
The cable car slowly climbed upwards, the trees on both sides grew shorter and shorter, and the view became more and more expansive. An Shiyu pressed herself against the window, looking down at Hong Kong, where the densely packed buildings grew smaller and smaller until they resembled building blocks.
"It looks really good," she said.
Ling Yun stood beside her without saying a word.
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There was a viewing platform at the top of the mountain, where many people were taking pictures. An Shiyu found a spot, stood still, and asked Ling Yun to take her picture. After taking the picture, she ran over to look at it, frowned, and said, "This one doesn't look good," then went back to stand still.
She was only satisfied after taking several photos.
In the afternoon, they went to a tea restaurant and sat down by the window on the second floor. An Shiyu ordered a pineapple bun and milk tea, while Ling Yun asked for a glass of water.
The street outside the window was bustling with people. Some were shopping, some were waiting for a bus, and some were chatting on benches. The sun was shining brightly on everyone.
An Shiyu was biting into a pineapple bun, looking out the window.
"You don't seem as busy lately," she said.
Ling Yun looked at her.
"I'm making fewer phone calls," An Shiyu said. "I haven't been going out much at night either."
"Um."
"Is things... stable over there?"
"Um."
An Shiyu nodded. She continued eating her pineapple bun, taking small bites.
The sunlight streaming through the window shone on her face, bathing her profile in a golden glow.
Ling Yun stared at that profile for a long time.
Monday, October 7.
Hang Seng Index opening: 9,213 points.
Chen Ziang sat at his workstation, staring at the number: 9,213.
It is 2,769 points higher than the lowest point.
It's 2,547 points higher than the number Lingyun mentioned.
He recalled what Ling Yun had said in the conference room: "After this wave is over, if you're still here, I'll tell you then."
He's still alive, but he didn't ask; he knows some things don't need to be asked.
After the market closed, Li Ziyu called him into the conference room.
"President Ling is going back to the US next week," Li Ziyu said. "Keep an eye on things here."
Chen Ziang nodded.
"And another thing," Li Ziyu said, "Soros is still criticizing. He gave another interview today, saying that the Hong Kong government's intervention will turn Hong Kong into a 'financial desert,' and that the Chinese government is manipulating the market."
Chen Zi'ang remained silent.
"Tell me," Li Ziyu looked at him, "does anyone still believe me?"
Chen Ziang remained silent for a few seconds.
"Some people will believe it," he said, "but not us."
Li Ziyu nodded.
Tuesday, October 7th.
The front page of the Hong Kong Economic Journal reads: "Hang Seng Index Holds Firm at 9,000 Points, Bears Defeated."
The article states, "Since the Hong Kong government announced its market intervention on the 14th of this month, the Hang Seng Index has risen by more than 2,000 points. Several international hedge funds have significantly reduced their holdings in the past week, and some institutions have completely withdrawn from the Hong Kong market. Analysts point out that the Hong Kong government's decisive intervention successfully curbed the panic selling in the market, laying the foundation for subsequent stability."
The article concludes by quoting an official from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: "We are not trying to defeat anyone; we are simply trying to protect Hong Kong's financial stability. Anyone who tries to undermine this stability will ultimately fail."
November 7, 1998, 8:00 AM.
Hong Kong International Airport.
Ling Yun stood in front of the check-in counter, holding two tickets in his hand. An Shiyu stood beside him, looking up at the flight information screen above. Rows of numbers and letters scrolled across the screen, red and green, and she looked at them intently.
"CA986, San Francisco," she read aloud. "Takeoff at 10:20."
"Um."
"How long will the flight take?"
"About twelve hours."
An Shiyu nodded. She was wearing a light blue dress, her hair was tied in a ponytail, and she looked a little nervous, but more excited.
After checking in their luggage, they headed towards the security checkpoint. An Shiyu walked slowly, looking around at the duty-free shop windows, the hurried travelers, and the uniformed staff.
"Is this your first time taking an international flight?" Lingyun asked.
"Yes," she said. "It's my first time abroad."
There was a queue at the security checkpoint. An Shiyu stood in the queue, tiptoeing to look ahead. The queue in front of her was very long, winding and twisting like a snake.
"Will it take a long time?" she asked.
"Need not."
After waiting for twenty minutes, when it was their turn, An Shiyu put her backpack on the conveyor belt and walked through the security gate. The staff gestured for her to raise her hands, which she obediently did. The scanner ran over her, emitting a soft beeping sound.
After passing through security, she glanced back at Ling Yun and smiled.
The waiting area was crowded. An Shiyu found a seat by the window and looked out at the tarmac. A plane was taxiing, and the roar of its engine could be faintly heard through the glass.
"It's huge," she said.
Ling Yun sat down next to her.
"Is that where we're going to sit?" she asked, pointing to a large airplane in the distance.
"No. That belongs to Cathay Pacific."
Which seats should we take?
"They haven't arrived yet."
An Shiyu nodded and continued looking outside.
As they boarded, she held Lingyun's hand and walked slowly. The jet bridge was made of glass, allowing them to see the ground support vehicles moving around below. She glanced down, then quickly turned her head back.
"Afraid of heights?" Ling Yun asked.
"A little," she said.
After finding her seat, she sat by the window and fastened her seatbelt. A flight attendant came over and asked if she wanted a newspaper. Ling Yun shook her head. An Shiyu watched the flight attendant's retreating figure for a long time.
As the plane took off, she gripped the handrail tightly. The fuselage shook, accelerated, lifted off the ground. Her eyes were closed, her eyelashes trembling.
She opened her eyes only after the plane had stabilized.
"Is it done?" she asked.
"alright."
She looked out the window and saw the sea below, a deep, almost blackish blue, with white waves crashing against the shore.
"It's so beautiful," she exclaimed.