Returning to his senior year of high school, he went all in and made billions by buying at the botto

The next morning.

Chen Mo was awakened by the chirping of birds outside the window. When he opened his eyes, sunlight was already streaming in through the curtains.

The room was quiet. When he finished washing up and came downstairs, the living room already smelled of food.

The meal consisted of simple millet porridge, fried eggs, a few refreshing side dishes, and a plate of freshly made scallion pancakes.

At the kitchen doorway, a gentle-looking woman was carrying a plate out.

She was around fifty years old, wearing a light-colored cashmere sweater, with her hair pulled back, and you could see the shadow of Lu Jingyi in her eyes and brows.

Lu Jingyi was more radiant, while she was much gentler.

She smiled when she saw Chen Mo.

"Is Xiao Chen awake?"

Chen Mo immediately stopped in his tracks.

Good morning, Auntie.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"Thank you very much."

"It's no trouble at all."

The woman placed the plate on the table, speaking as naturally as if she were addressing a junior.

"I am Jingyi's mother, Gu Qinglan."

Chen Mo bowed slightly.

Aunt Gu.

Gu Qinglan's smile deepened.

"Sit down quickly, the porridge is just ready."

Chen Mo didn't stand on ceremony and sat down at the dining table.

Lu Changming was already reading the morning paper at the table when he heard the noise, and only glanced up.

"I got up relatively early."

Good morning, Uncle Lu.

Lu Changming hummed in agreement and folded the newspaper, placing it aside.

Gu Qinglan personally served Chen Mo a bowl of porridge.

"Last night, Lao Lu said you two chatted until 3 a.m.?"

Chen Mo took the bowl.

"Uncle Lu asked some insightful questions and I lost track of time."

That's just how he is.

Gu Qinglan glanced at Lu Changming.

"When they talk about work, they don't care about anyone else at all."

Lu Changming picked up the bowl of porridge, as if he hadn't heard.

Chen Mo smiled but didn't reply. The atmosphere at the dinner table was much more relaxed than last night.

Gu Qinglan mostly talked about Lu Jingyi.

She said that Lu Jingyi didn't like to cry when she was little, and she wouldn't let anyone pick her up when she fell down.

She said that she was very decisive when she was in school. She didn't care what schools others applied to. She studied the materials for half a month and finally handed the application form to her parents.

When she went to Merrill Lynch, her family didn't really approve.

"Back then, her dad said that it was too tiring for a girl to work in the finance industry."

Gu Qinglan smiled and glanced at Lu Changming.

"But she shut him down with just one sentence."

Chen Mo asked, "What did you say?"

Gu Qinglan imitated her daughter's tone from back then.

"Whether I'm tired or not is my business; I have the right to choose my own life."

Chen Mo couldn't help but laugh; this was indeed something Lu Jingyi would say.

Lu Changming put down his chopsticks: "She's been disobedient since she was little."

Gu Qinglan disagreed: "It's not that they're disobedient, it's that they have their own opinions."

She then looked at Chen Mo.

"Xiao Chen, you've known Jingyi for a while now. She seems strong, but she's actually very soft-hearted."

Chen Mo nodded, and Gu Qinglan smiled, continuing, "Actually, age isn't that important. Whether people can come together mainly depends on their character and whether they're compatible."

Lu Changming coughed and looked up: "Qinglan."

Gu Qinglan glared at him.

Did I say something wrong?

"Let's eat."

Gu Qinglan smiled and shook her head, not continuing the conversation, while Chen Mo lowered his head and drank his porridge.

8:20.

Lu Changming glanced at his watch.

"Let's go."

Chen Mo put down his chopsticks and stood up.

Gu Qinglan handed a coat to Lu Changming, then looked at Chen Mo.

"Xiao Chen, come over for dinner anytime you have time."

"Thank you, Aunt Gu."

"Don't be so polite."

She said with a smile.

"From now on, when you come to Kyoto, treat it like your own home."

The two went out together. After the car door closed, Lu Changming looked ahead and suddenly said something.

"Don't take Aunt Gu's words too seriously."

Chen Mo was about to nod.

Lu Changming added another sentence.

"But don't completely ignore it either."

"..."

Chen Mo suddenly realized that the Lu family couple were actually quite difficult to deal with.

……

The car drove out of the courtyard.

Lu Changming leaned back in the back row, holding a thin document in his hand, and flipped through a couple of pages.

"Today's meeting is being chaired by Jingyi's aunt, Lu Zhilan."

"The central bank system."

Chen Mo's heart stirred slightly; it seemed that the Lu family's web was even deeper than he had imagined.

The car drove onto Chang'an Avenue and then entered a building with red brick and tile walls.

The checkpoint at the entrance was very strict. The driver handed over his documents, the barrier was raised, and the red flag slowly drove in.

Someone was already waiting downstairs, a middle-aged secretary.

"Director Lu, President Lu and several other leaders have arrived."

Lu Changming nodded, and Chen Mo followed him upstairs.

Before the door was even opened, Chen Mo could already hear hushed conversations inside.

The group pushed open the door and entered, and the room instantly fell silent.

A dozen or so people were sitting on either side of the long table.

The red plaque with white lettering reads: People from the People's Bank of China, the National Social Security Fund, Central Huijin Investment Ltd., China Investment Corporation, and several other state-owned financial institutions and policy-oriented funding platforms.

These people didn't put on airs, but just sitting there, they naturally exuded a sense of oppression.

They control not ordinary money, but funds that can influence market rhythms, industry trends, and financial stability.

As Chen Mo walked in, many eyes fell on him at the same time.

Scrutiny, curiosity, restraint, even surprise.

too young.

Even though they had reviewed the information beforehand, they were still taken aback by the eighteen-year-old face when they actually met him.

Lu Changming didn't introduce much; he simply led Chen Mo to the conference table.

The woman sitting next to the head of the table looked up.

He was in his forties, with short hair and a black suit, looking very sharp.

Lu Zhilan.

She looked at Chen Mo for two seconds before speaking.

"Xiao Chen, sit down."

Chen Mo nodded slightly.

"President Lu."

Lu Zhilan's eyes flickered slightly.

Lu Changming sat down to the side, without taking the seat of honor.

He looked at the crowd.

"Xiao Chen and I discussed some industry insights last night, and I agree with his judgment."

This short sentence changed the atmosphere in the meeting room.

Lu Changming continued, "However, today we're discussing financial matters."

"How to conduct the talks, and to what extent, will be presided over by Zhilan."

He looked at Chen Mo.

"You set the rules yourself, and you're responsible for them."

Chen Mo nodded.

"clear."

Lu Changming did not leave; he sat to one side.

Lu Zhilan opened the documents in front of her.

"Let's begin then."

She looked at Chen Mo.

"With a net asset value of 1.7, what is the maximum drawdown for Taichu No. 1?"

Chen Mo replied, "The maximum drawdown in this phase is less than five points."

"Position structure?"

"The portfolio is primarily long on equities, supplemented by stock index futures for hedging. Previously, the portfolio had a high degree of flexibility, but recently we have begun to gradually reduce our exposure to overvalued speculative stocks."

"Leverage?"

"The Taichu No. 1 fund does not have high leverage; the main risks come from the market itself and the volatility of some highly volatile assets."

Lu Zhilan continued, "If Taichu No. 2 were to give you 10 billion yuan, how would you manage it?"

Chen Mo shook his head.

"I don't recommend letting me manage it."

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Several people looked up at him.

Lu Zhilan also stopped writing.

"What do you mean?"

"Tai Chu No. 2 should not be made into a regular private equity fund."

Chen Mo looked at her.

"Different types of funds entail different responsibilities."

"The funds from social security funds, Central Huijin Investment Ltd., and SDIC Capital are not suitable for direct transfer to Taichu Capital, let alone for external fundraising."

"I suggest proceeding through a private agreement. Each entity should have its own independent fund account, independent custody, and independent risk control."

"I only provide strategic direction, position sizing suggestions, and exit signals."

Someone asked, "You don't handle funds?"

"I won't touch it." Chen Mo answered decisively, "I won't touch the account, I won't place orders directly, and I won't participate in fund custody."

"The execution team is formed by each party themselves, and Taichu Capital only provides strategic framework and advisory services."

The atmosphere in the meeting room finally relaxed a bit.

This answer is much more reliable than many people expected.

Unlike overseas, in China, no matter how much capital wants to get on board, it will not relinquish absolute control to individuals.

Chen Mo knew this well, so he made the boundaries clear from the start to avoid any further arguments.

Lu Zhilan couldn't help but glance at him: "You are more mature than I imagined."

He then followed up with, "What's your view on the market this year?"

Chen Mo looked at the bigwigs in front of him but did not answer immediately.

These people are not ordinary investors. If they only ask whether the market will rise this year and how much they can earn, that would be simple.

But with them sitting here, Primordial II can't just be a money-making tool.

Profits are certainly important, but beyond profits, there are also market order, capital security, industry direction, and even future explorations in Hong Kong stocks and overseas assets.

What they wanted to see was not whether Chen Mo could make another quick buck, but whether he could hold the line when faced with larger sums of money and more complex goals.

Chen Mo picked up his water glass and took a sip.

"The market isn't over yet this year."

After the first sentence was spoken, none of the people moved.

Lu Zhilan looked at him.

"Residents' funds are entering the market, securities firms are expanding their margin trading and securities lending rapidly, and off-exchange margin financing is also heating up."

"Once emotions take hold, they don't stop immediately. The current market is like a car that has already accelerated."

Chen Mo paused.

"It can still run, but the braking distance will become longer and longer."

The social security official, with his gray hair, looked up.

"Your assessment is that there's still room for further price increases?"

"In the short term."

"What about the mid-term?"

"In the mid-term, leverage is key."

Chen Mo said, "If it's just valuation expansion, the market can cool down gradually. But if leverage is pushing the index up, then what follows won't be a normal correction."

"It was a stampede."

Someone quietly turned a page of the document in the meeting room.

The sound of paper rubbing together was very clear.

A middle-aged man from Huijin spoke up: "You just said that we shouldn't chase the rise of Taichu No. 2. So what do you think it should do?"

Chen Mo looked at him.

"This money is not hot money. If Taichu No. 2 is to take over social security, Huijin, SDIC and policy funds, it cannot only ask about the rate of return. In some cases, it should even act as a stabilizer."

Lu Zhilan's pen stopped on the paper.

Without looking up, she asked only one question: "Do you think Primordial II should act as a stabilizer?"

"Not now."

Chen Mo said.

"It's not qualified yet. Ten billion yuan seems like a lot, but it's nothing in the context of the entire market."

"Primordial II is more suitable as a sample account at this stage."

"If I'm not mistaken, you all just want to use Primordial II to test my quality."

Before anyone else could speak, Chen Mo continued, "I don't object to this behavior, and I'm willing to serve the country. Similarly, I can guarantee here that after the release of Taichu II, you will see what you want to see."

After Chen Mo finished speaking, the conference room fell silent.

No one refuted.

Because Chen Mo was right.

Of course, Primordial II wanted to make money.

But more importantly, it's about verifying people's identities.

If Lu Changming hadn't personally brought Chen Mo here today, he would have faced an even more severe situation.

After a brief silence, the first person to break the atmosphere was the gray-haired social security fund manager.

He took off his reading glasses and slowly wiped them with a piece of velvet cloth, then suddenly chuckled softly.

"Young people these days are really getting more and more capable. Old Lu, you've brought an assassin in here."

The moment those words were spoken, the slightly tense atmosphere in the conference room instantly relaxed.

Several bigwigs smiled slightly, and their eyes showed more respect when they looked at Chen Mo.

Those in high positions within the system despise those self-righteous opportunists the most.

What I admire most are those who can see through the underlying logic and dare to speak their minds.

Chen Mo's statement, "Let's see what I'm made of," brought the unspoken rules under the table to the forefront. Far from offending them, it demonstrated his extremely strong mental fortitude and composure.

Lu Changming sat beside him, not even lifting his eyelids, as if all of this was within his expectations.

Lu Zhilan looked at Chen Mo, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes.

She closed the folder in front of her, crossed her arms on the table, and exuded an aura of authority.

"Now that you understand, let's talk about something practical." She looked Chen Mo directly in the eye. "Using Taichu No. 2 as a sample account, how do you plan to prove this to everyone here?"

Chen Mo did not back down. Facing the gazes of the assembled bigwigs, he uttered four words: "Defend internally, attack externally."

The meeting room fell silent again, everyone waiting for him to continue.

Chen Mo took a piece of white paper in front of him, drew an upward curve on it, and then drew a steep cliff at the top.

"You all know better than I do that this year's leveraged bull market in A-shares will eventually face a brutal deleveraging and hard landing. This is an economic law that cannot be changed by human will."

"The first step for Taichu II is internal defense." Chen Mo pointed his pen at the halfway point of the rising curve. "This 10 billion yuan will absolutely not be used to bail out those overhyped speculative stocks. I want to use it to generate absolute returns in the early stages and build a safety cushion. When the avalanche truly arrives, when thousands of stocks hit their daily limit down and market liquidity completely dries up..."

Chen Mo raised his head, his eyes piercing: "Tai Chu II will become the most stable reservoir. I will precisely invest this money into the core technologies, military industry, and high-end manufacturing sectors that are crucial to national strategy when the market is at its most panicked and at its lowest point."

"This is called providing a safety net, or using the cheapest chips to acquire core assets for the next five years."

The middle-aged man from Huijin was slightly moved and couldn't help but nod.

The ability to remain clear-headed amidst fervor and to dare to act decisively in the face of panic is precisely the quality that the national team needs most.

"What about external attacks?" Lu Zhilan pressed.

"External offensive does not mean actively provoking trouble. It means we cannot just passively defend within our own borders."

Chen Mo continued, "If the A-share market experiences sharp fluctuations, the panic will definitely spread to Hong Kong."

"You all know better than I what foreign investors will do."

"Shorting the A50 futures index, impacting the offshore RMB, and selling off core Chinese assets in Hong Kong stocks. Using external prices to suppress domestic sentiment."

He paused for two seconds.

"Therefore, we cannot only look at the A-shares market when it comes to the follow-up of Taichu II."

"A research account is necessary for the Hong Kong market. A hedging account is also necessary if needed."

"It's not about making money from those fluctuations, it's about knowing who's making the moves, where the funds are coming from, and which assets are under pressure."

The entire conference room was completely silent.

Even Lu Changming, who had remained calm throughout, tightened his grip on the teacup slightly.

Those of you here control the nation's financial lifeline. You see all sorts of macro reports every day, how could you not know about the covetous eyes of foreign capital?

However, due to limitations imposed by their status, system, and international influence, the national team often has to play a passive defensive role, and sometimes even appears to be struggling.

Now, however, Chen Mo has volunteered to deal with external capital.

After a long silence.

"it is good."

Lu Zhilan spoke first.

"Accounts, channels, custody, and risk control will proceed according to the private agreement we just discussed."

She looked at the several people in charge.

"Build the framework within three weeks."

"The funds do not enter the Primordial Capital."

"Each account is independent and independently managed."

"We'll start with the domestic market. We'll conduct research and small-position testing in the Hong Kong market first."

After she finished speaking, she stood up, extended her right hand to Chen Mo, and said with unprecedented seriousness, "Chen Mo, we'll give you these 10 billion yuan. If you can truly achieve what you said today—internal defense and external offense—at this critical juncture..."

She glanced at everyone in the conference room.

"Primordial Capital will have a permanent seat here in the future."

Chen Mo stood up and took her hand.

"I will deliver a satisfactory result."

……

Half an hour later, Chen Mo followed Lu Changming out of the building.

The sunlight outside was a bit dazzling, but the traffic on Chang'an Avenue was still flowing endlessly.

No one knew that just now, in that inconspicuous red brick building, a multi-billion dollar battle that could influence the landscape of the capital market for the next few years had been decided.

After getting on the bus, Lu Changming closed his eyes to rest.

He slowly opened his eyes after the car had driven for a while.

"Defend internally and attack externally. How confident are you in the things you say from inside?"

Chen Mo looked at the receding scenery outside the window, his tone calm.

"very."

Lu Changming turned his head and gave him a deep look.

After a long while, Lu Changming looked ahead again.

"Do whatever you want within the rules."

"Outside of the rules, the Lu family will come to pick us up."