Reborn in 2012, building a new energy empire

For a whole week, Jiang Haoran buried himself in school preparing for the final exams.

With most of his exams finished, he had a rare free time that afternoon to watch the stock market in his dormitory.

On the computer screen, soybean meal prices continued to fluctuate at high levels.

In recent days, prices have been fluctuating around 3990 points, with the 4000-point mark just around the corner, yet a breakthrough has not been achieved.

Jiang Haoran pulled up the data tracking table he had compiled: open interest, trading volume, futures-spot price spread, main capital flow... all indicators pointed to the same conclusion: the bullish trend has not yet exhausted, but the momentum is waning.

But market sentiment was clearly more fervent than he had anticipated.

On several mainstream futures forums, people have started calculating topics like "If the index rises to 5000 points, how many billions can the bulls in the entire market earn?"

Exaggerated headlines emerged one after another: "A once-in-a-millennium market boom" and "Short sellers have been wiped out."

Jiang Haoran closed the forum page.

This almost manic collective sentiment is often a signal that the market is entering its final stage.

He was well aware that soybean meal was forming the top of this round of price increases and could experience sharp fluctuations at any time.

His trading plan was clear: buy low and sell high every day to profit from the price difference, and start gradually reducing his position after the price broke through 4050 points, reducing 100-150 lots every day, and closing out most of his position around 4200 points.

Although he remembered that the ultimate high for soybean meal was 4369 points, he did not intend to gamble on that extreme value with a large position.

Don't be greedy for the last wave, and don't try to catch the tail end of a trend.

Who knows if this peak will reappear due to the butterfly effect? ​​Therefore, taking profits is the best option. Most funds can be withdrawn to prepare for the next battle.

As I was thinking, my phone rang. It was Professor Wu.

"Haoran, is now a good time? Come to my office."

"Okay, teacher, I'll be right there."

Jiang Haoran closed his laptop, put on a shirt, and went out.

The door to Professor Wu's office was ajar.

Jiang Haoran knocked on the door, and a voice came from inside: "Come in."

Jiang Haoran was slightly taken aback when he pushed open the door and went in.

Besides Professor Wu, there was a female student sitting in the office.

She looked to be about his age, wearing a simple white T-shirt and light blue jeans, her ponytail neatly tied. She was talking to Professor Wu with her head turned to the side when she heard the noise and turned around.

Her eyes are bright, and she has two shallow dimples on her cheeks when she smiles.

"Haoran's here." Professor Wu smiled and waved. "Come, let me introduce you. This is Bai Xiwei, also from our school, a sophomore in the Finance Department."

Bai Xiwei stood up and extended her hand, saying, "Hello, Senior Jiang, I've heard so much about you."

Her handshake was crisp and firm, her palm soft yet carrying an undeniable strength.

"Hello," Jiang Haoran replied succinctly.

"Xiwei's father was my college classmate, and he now works at the Southern Jiangsu Securities Regulatory Bureau," Professor Wu explained from the side. "Xiwei is very interested in the financial market and has heard about your 'achievements,' so she'd like to get to know you and exchange ideas."

Bai Xiwei chimed in with curiosity, "My dad recently attended an investment forum in the Yangtze River Delta region. When he came back, he said that one of Professor Wu's star students at our school impressed him with his speech. His research data was solid, and his logic was clear, which was completely unlike the level of an undergraduate."

"Later, I heard some rumors in the department that this senior Jiang Haoran had created quite a miracle in real-world futures investment. I became even more curious."

Jiang Haoran glanced at Professor Wu. He picked up his teacup, sipped it leisurely, and acted as if it were none of his business.

"I was lucky to catch this big trend in soybean meal," Jiang Haoran said restrainedly.

"Being able to grasp the trend is not easy in itself." Bai Xiwei leaned forward. "Senior, could you share how you initially judged the start of this market trend? I know about the weather factor, but the specific data tracking and position management can't be found on the forum."

She asked directly, but without offending Jiang Haoran.

Jiang Haoran could sense that she was straightforward and genuinely thinking about these issues, rather than just being polite.

Jiang Haoran briefly explained the logic of weather and supply and demand.

Bai Xiwei listened attentively, occasionally asking for details.

Bai Xiwei listened attentively, occasionally asking questions about details, such as how to distinguish between a normal pullback and a trend reversal, and how to set a dynamic profit-taking level.

After chatting for about ten minutes, Professor Wu put down his teacup: "Alright, Xiwei, there will be plenty of opportunities to ask you questions in the future. Haoran still needs to prepare for his exams."

Bai Xiwei stuck out her tongue, a gesture that added a touch of playfulness to her appearance. "Then, Senior Jiang, can we add each other on WeChat? I can message you privately if I have any questions in the future."

"Okay." Jiang Haoran took out his phone.

WeChat only launched last year and is far from widespread; QQ remains the mainstream social media platform. This girl is quite trendy.

After adding her as a friend by scanning the QR code, Bai Xiwei waved her hand and said, "I won't bother you any longer, Teacher Wu, Senior Jiang, I'll be going now."

She left with light steps, her ponytail tracing a lively arc behind her head.

The door closed gently. Professor Wu then slowly spoke: "Xiwei is a talented and lively child. She often comes over for tea."

"Her father, Bai Jingxing, was my classmate at Peking University. He now works in the securities regulatory system in southern Jiangsu. He's an upright man with a deep professional foundation." He paused, then looked at Jiang Haoran. "If you really want to delve deeper into this field in the future, it won't hurt to get to know more people."

Bai Jingxing.

Jiang Haoran silently repeated the name in his mind and suddenly realized.

In his past life, this leader, who was an academic by training, rose steadily through the ranks, eventually becoming the vice chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission. He played an important role in several reforms of the capital market.

"Thank you for your trouble, teacher," Jiang Haoran said.

"It's not much trouble," Professor Wu waved his hand. "Young people should communicate more and learn from each other. Xiwei has a solid theoretical foundation, but lacks practical experience. You have a wealth of experience, which can complement her."

It was already evening when I came out of the School of Economics and Management building.

The setting sun painted the sky a gradient of orange-red, and the evening breeze carried the lingering warmth of summer.

Jiang Haoran walked slowly along the tree-lined path, his mind replaying the meeting he had just had.

Bai Xiwei's appearance may seem accidental, but it is actually inevitable.

As he achieves tangible results in the market, it's only a matter of time before he comes into the public eye.

Among those who "see" him, there will be curious colleagues, potential partners, and some... individuals with special backgrounds.

The girl's bright eyes, frank questions, and the confident strength in her handshake all left a clear impression on him.

She is clearly more than just an ordinary college student who is "interested in investing".

Jiang Haoran looked up at the last ray of golden light on the horizon.

The road ahead is long, and the people and events we encounter along the way may become unexpected variables in the future game.

He smiled, but didn't stop walking.

This girl is interesting.