Reborn in 2012, building a new energy empire

After Jiang Haoran finished speaking, the booth remained silent for a few seconds. It wasn't a silence of shock, but a silence tinged with intense thought, as if everyone was rapidly calculating in their minds.

Wang Hao and Li Zhenyu exchanged a glance, both seeing a gleam of eager anticipation in each other's eyes.

For them, the specific analytical logic might be complex, but the words "position" and "opportunity," along with the still-glowing numbers in Jiang Haoran's account, are enough.

Li Zhenyu had even turned slightly to the side, seemingly wanting to open his trading software right now.

Zhao Rui instinctively looked at Zhou Mingyu. He knew where the wind was blowing at a time like this.

Zhou Mingyu didn't look at his phone or the stock chart. His gaze was fixed on the slowly swirling ice cubes in his glass, his face expressionless, as if he were weighing his options or savoring the lingering meaning of Jiang Haoran's last few words.

The phrases "use your pocket money to play around" and "be responsible for your own profits and losses" were said casually, yet they were like a feather, precisely tickling the most sensitive spot in everyone's hearts.

Jiang Haoran said no more. He leaned back on the sofa, picked up his wine glass, and took a small sip. His gaze calmly swept over the various expressions of the people, and finally lingered for a moment on Zhou Mingyu's slightly thoughtful profile.

He knew the bait had been thrown.

These are not general opinions or empty reputations, but rather "opportunities" that combine rigorous logic, have been verified by his own real-world trading, and are precise down to specific points, making them readily available.

For Wang Hao and Li Zhenyu, this opportunity was a tempting chance to earn some pocket money; for Chen Zi'an, it was a sacred place for practice to verify what he had learned and even go beyond theory.

For Zhou Mingyu, this was Jiang Haoran's pledge of allegiance.

Self-interest is always the most direct adhesive.

No matter how eloquently you explain the theories, it's better to let them experience the benefits firsthand in the market.

When real profits start to dangle in their own accounts, the subtle trust and connection that arises from shared gains is far stronger than any verbal praise or promise.

This major trend, driven by fundamentals and capital, has enormous energy, with daily trading volumes in the tens of billions. It is by no means something that one person can fully enjoy. By allocating a portion of the clearly anticipated "body" of the market as bait, the cost is extremely low, but the potential returns are incredibly rich.

Jiang Haoran knew that this "opportunity," which combined rigorous logic with precise location, would evoke different responses in everyone's heart.

It was a temptation for Wang Hao and others, a sacred place for Chen Zi'an, and for Zhou Mingyu, it was the answer to the final test.

When Jiang Haoran confidently explained his complete investment logic, clearly pointed out the specific operational range, and frankly admitted that his team had "visited the port three times" and "had dinner with the purchasing team,"

Jiang Haoran's insightful perspective that sees through the fog, his pragmatic investment style, and his confident and decisive trading style have dealt a devastating blow to Zhou Mingyu.

Zhou Mingyu seemed to see the final piece of his business empire, and the scales in his heart clicked with a final "click," tilting completely.

Zhou Mingyu studied finance because he was looking for a helper. He didn't need a boastful analyst, but a practical person who could delve into the details of the industry, obtain first-hand information, and dare to make big bets.

Jiang Haoran demonstrated precisely this unparalleled, top-tier insight and the rare ability to "acquire alpha rewards." The test was over, and the result left him extremely satisfied.

Zhou Mingyu knew very well that for someone like Jiang Haoran, who was both capable and arrogant, mere promises of benefits and the air of a superior might not be entirely effective.

Once he's decided to take the plunge, he never lacks the attitude of treating people with respect.

He needs a more subtle strategy that touches on human weaknesses—to gain loyalty through honesty and to catalyze complicity through empathy.

He closed his eyes for a full five seconds. This wasn't hesitation, but rather a final rehearsal of his upcoming "performance" in his mind.

When he opened his eyes again, the scrutiny and deliberation in them had been replaced by a complex expression that perfectly blended pressure, honesty, and burning ambition.

He suddenly raised his wine glass.

"Come, let's raise a glass to Brother Jiang," Zhou Mingyu said, his voice carrying a solemnity born of being deeply moved. Everyone followed suit and raised their glasses.

After that drink, the atmosphere subtly changed. An invisible barrier seemed to dissolve in the alcohol and their shared secret.

"Brother Jiang." Zhou Mingyu changed his form of address and sat up straight. The previous air of a confident young nobleman was somewhat restrained, revealing a rare, almost weary, sense of reality.

"To be honest, besides wanting to make friends, I also had some ulterior motives when I came to see you today."

"I can see that," Jiang Haoran smiled, waiting for him to continue.

"Hengjiu Petrochemical is my family's business, you probably know that." Zhou Mingyu's tone was calm, but the deliberately slowed pace made each word carry an unusual weight. He was carefully building a space for "heart-to-heart" communication.

"My father had three sons, and I am the middle one. My eldest brother was my father's right-hand man. After ten years of hard work, his connections and resources are far beyond my reach. My youngest brother is the youngest, but his biological mother... is my father's current wife."

He paused, picked up his wine glass but didn't drink, this deliberate pause leaving a trace of bitterness and resentment hanging in the air.

"Sometimes I feel like a delicate ornament. My older brother has blocked my path to maintaining the status quo, while my younger brother has taken all the shortcuts to being favored."

He raised his eyes, his sharp gaze piercing through the brief gloom just now. His voice suddenly dropped, carrying a resolute determination: "However, I am not willing to be a playboy who indulges in eating, drinking, and having fun. I will not sit idly by and wait for the opportunity to slip away, nor will I sit and wait for my death. I also have the ambition to fight for everything that belongs to me."

"I must fight, and I will fight."

This confession was three parts truth and seven parts acting.

Perhaps his situation is similar, but he is far from being left to die. To put it another way, he is not worried about food and clothing. Wealthy people all have similar trusts.

This self-inflicted "weakness" and "eagerness" were, in fact, bait he threw at Jiang Haoran.

He bet that a young man like Jiang Haoran, who is both arrogant and yearns for recognition, would be most likely to be inspired by his "only trust" as a wealthy young master.

Without giving Jiang Haoran time to savor this "fragility," he spoke sharply, his tone shifting from self-pity to soaring ambition, the hesitation in his eyes completely consumed by burning ambition: "But even in competition, there are methods. My father values ​​ability most. As long as you have real achievements and territory that no one can take away, then…!"

He leaned forward, and his lowered voice was all the more penetrating, each word like the foundation stone of the future.

"Brother Jiang, I rarely misjudge people. I admire your abilities. But think about it, going it alone will ultimately limit your potential. What you lack is not vision or courage, but a platform and arsenal that can amplify your abilities tenfold, a hundredfold, or even a thousandfold."

He waved his arm lightly, as if demarcating territory, "And I can provide this platform. As long as you and I join forces, we can start with the resources I can access, such as leveraging Hengjiu's industrial network and capital to create a brand new platform."

"I'll take care of the initial startup capital. I'll give you your own team and the highest decision-making authority."

"Leveraging our enduring deep understanding of the market and your keen market sense, we can establish a shining reputation within the group in just three years, or even less!"

His tone grew increasingly fervent, and the vision he painted became ever more grand: "This is not just about making a quick buck. It's about us, together, building a 'kingdom' of our own, from scratch."