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

Two hours later.

Provincial capital international airport.

The red Porsche came to a steady stop in front of the VIP building.

As soon as Lu Jingyi unbuckled her seatbelt, two airport VIP service personnel quickly came forward and respectfully opened the car door.

"Good morning, Ms. Lu and Mr. Chen."

Lu Jingyi handed the car keys to the valet and turned to Chen Mo: "Mr. Chen, we'll use the VIP lane. Security and immigration procedures have already been booked in advance."

"Okay." Chen Mo nodded and picked up his suitcase naturally.

From getting off the bus to identity verification and then entering the VIP lounge, the whole process was extremely smooth.

Lu Jingyi had originally planned to give a brief explanation of the first-class check-in, VIP lane, and boarding arrangements, but she soon realized that there was no need for her to say anything at all.

Chen Mo was too skilled.

It wasn't a feigned composure, but rather a genuine and deep-seated familiarity with this high-end travel process.

Lu Jingyi sat opposite him and finally couldn't help but take another look at him.

"Does Mr. Chen travel by plane frequently?"

"I've sat here a few times."

Lu Jingyi raised an eyebrow slightly.

This answer is clearly insincere. How could a senior high school student from Jiangcheng County be so familiar with the exit procedures?

However, she did not press the matter further; after all, she was not an interrogator sent by Merrill Lynch.

However, the less I asked, the stronger my curiosity became.

After boarding, the first-class cabin was spacious and quiet.

Lu Jingyi originally thought that Chen Mo would rest after boarding the plane, since his schedule was tight these past few days and he had a lot of meetings to attend later.

But Chen Mo was carefully reviewing the three-day Hong Kong itinerary and account documents from several banks on the tablet.

His earnest demeanor was a stark contrast to the boy who should have been in the classroom doing practice problems.

The plane took off smoothly, and clouds spread out outside the window.

Lu Jingyi removed her professional facade, turned slightly to the side, and looked at Chen Mo with her beautiful eyes, saying, "Mr. Chen, may I ask a personal question?"

"Speak."

"Are you really only eighteen?"

Chen Mo looked up at her.

Lu Jingyi blinked, a slight smile playing on her lips: "That's what it says in the documents, of course. But you don't seem like you're eighteen."

"How much does it resemble?"

"Thirty-eight," Lu Jingyi said seriously.

Chen Mo couldn't help but chuckle.

Lu Jingyi also smiled slightly.

Perhaps the weightlessness on the plane made Lu Jingyi a little more relaxed, and she seemed more vibrant than usual.

"I'm serious." Lu Jingyi looked at him, "When you sign documents, read terms, and ask questions about the framework, you're more familiar with it than I've ever met many fund managers."

"I'm quite interested in this area and have done a lot of research on it."

"Mr. Chen, this explanation might fool others, but it's not sincere enough to fool me." Lu Jingyi gently shook the juice in her hand.

Chen Mo leaned back in his chair, speaking casually, "Miss Lu, you've only just met me, and you're already interrogating me?"

"It's not an audit," Lu Jingyi corrected, "it's a client profiling."

"When Merrill Lynch creates customer profiles, they ask, 'Is the age accurate?'"

"Ordinary customers wouldn't," Lu Jingyi smiled, "but you're clearly not ordinary."

After he said that, the atmosphere between the two of them relaxed considerably.

Lu Jingyi discovered that Chen Mo wasn't as difficult to approach as she had imagined.

He was indeed composed, but he was also very approachable. As long as the conversation didn't touch on the real core secrets, he would even play along with a few lighthearted jokes.

This gradually awakened Lu Jingyi's girlish curiosity and desire to explore.

She picked up her juice, took a sip, and her gaze fell on Chen Mo's tablet computer.

The screen was currently displaying several pages of densely packed tables, showing stock codes for Hong Kong stocks, as well as a series of core data regarding market capitalization, debt-to-equity ratio, and equity concentration.

As an elite member of Merrill Lynch, Lu Jingyi only needed a glance to get a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Did Chen Mo pull out data on Hong Kong-listed stocks?

"0208...Loves nightclubs?" Lu Jingyi murmured one of them, her brows furrowing involuntarily. "Mr. Chen, are you looking at penny stocks and shell companies in Hong Kong?"

"Just browsing," Chen Mo said casually, his expression calm.

"This doesn't seem like a casual look." Lu Jingyi put down her juice, her expression turning serious. "If I'm not mistaken, all the companies you've picked out are shell companies with a market value between HK$4 million and HK$5 million. Do you... also have acquisition intentions for this trip to Hong Kong?"

Chen Mo did not deny it, but instead posed a question: "Ms. Lu, what are your thoughts on the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect, which just launched in November?"

"Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect?" Lu Jingyi hadn't expected him to suddenly steer the conversation towards macroeconomic policies. After a moment's hesitation, she cautiously replied, "The market generally considers it a milestone in financial connectivity between the two places. However, based on data from the past month or so, northbound capital has been far more active than southbound capital. Local sentiment in Hong Kong has been somewhat subdued due to recent events, and foreign institutions remain very strict in pricing assets with a mainland background. Frankly speaking, within Merrill Lynch, we hold a conservative view on the short-term performance of Hong Kong stocks."

A typical Wall Street elite perspective: looking at data, the overall market, and mainstream sentiment.

Chen Mo withdrew his gaze, looked at Lu Jingyi, and said with a playful look in his eyes: "Foreign institutions are always too superstitious about data. The mainland has been closed off for so many years, and there are countless private investors and top tycoons with huge sums of money. What they lack is not investment insight, but a legal and compliant channel to go global."

He stretched out his finger and tapped lightly on the table.

"The current Hong Kong stock market is a golden opportunity created by geopolitical sentiment. These extremely clean shell companies may be seen as illiquid garbage by foreign investors, but they are the perfect resource in the eyes of the mainland tech and financial unicorns who are queuing up for a backdoor listing."

"Once the mainland's liquidity surges next year, the pricing power in Central will shift. Buying a clean motherboard shell now will mean that by next spring, the shell price alone could double—that's just the most basic operation."

Chen Mo's voice was not loud, and even sounded somewhat low amidst the faint engine roar in first class.

But to Lu Jingyi, it sounded like a muffled thunderclap.

The dynamic differences in capital flows between the two places, the urgent need for backdoor listings in the mainland, the impending premium... these logics were stripped away in Chen Mo's words as clearly as a textbook.

"You... want to be the dealer?" Lu Jingyi's voice was very low, even carrying a hint of excitement.

"Being the dealer is too tiring." Chen Mo shifted to a more comfortable position and leaned back in his chair. "Shell resources are certainly very valuable, but I have some other plans."

"Ms. Lu, Merrill Lynch's investment banking division in Hong Kong should be very familiar with listed companies' asset restructuring and private placements, right?"

Lu Jingyi stared blankly at the boy in front of her.

At this moment, she finally shattered the label of "Jiangcheng County high school student" in her mind.

"We know each other very well." Lu Jingyi took a deep breath and bowed slightly: "Mr. Chen, Merrill Lynch Private Bank and Investment Banking Department is at your service at any time."

As the plane passed through the clouds, the flight attendants began serving meals.

Lu Jingyi turned her head to look at Chen Mo, her curiosity burning brighter and brighter like a flame ignited by the wind.

……

in the afternoon.

Hong Kong International Airport.

The plane landed smoothly.

When Chen Mo and Lu Jingyi came out of the VIP channel, Merrill Lynch Hong Kong had already arranged a team to pick them up.

A black Rolls-Royce Phantom was parked outside the exit.

Standing next to the car was a driver in a dark suit, two tall security guards, and an assistant from Merrill Lynch Hong Kong Private Wealth Management.

"Mr. Chen, Ms. Lu, welcome to Hong Kong."

The assistant bowed slightly, speaking respectfully.

Chen Mo was not surprised; a client worth four hundred million US dollars deserved this level of treatment.

The car door opened. Chen Mo got into the back seat, and Lu Jingyi sat next to him.

The Rolls-Royce drove away from the airport and entered the city along the highway.

Outside the window, Hong Kong's skyscrapers stand tall, the sea glistens with a cold light, and the two sides of Victoria Harbour remain dazzlingly prosperous.

As Chen Mo looked out the window, a meaningful glint flashed in his eyes.

At this time, Hong Kong Island was not as peaceful as it appeared on the surface.

Beneath the surface of this bustling financial center, a fierce undercurrent of politics, capital, real estate, Hong Kong stock shell resources, and mainland funds flowing south is surging.

This place has never been a haven of comfort; it's a battlefield, especially now.

The Rolls-Royce arrived quickly at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, where a private butler and concierge team were already waiting at the hotel entrance.

"Mr. Chen, welcome to the Four Seasons Hotel. Your presidential suite is ready, and the meeting room has undergone security and communications checks tonight."

The presidential suite is located on a high floor.

As you step inside, the huge floor-to-ceiling windows offer an unobstructed view of Victoria Harbour.

The living room is spacious, and it also has a study, meeting area, and private dining room.

A fresh bouquet of flowers and a welcome card were laid out on the table, along with encrypted communication equipment and a file box prepared by Merrill Lynch.

Chen Mo walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down at the international financial metropolis below.

Lu Jingyi stood half a step behind him and said softly, "Mr. Chen, the Merrill Lynch team will be in the suite's conference room at 7 p.m. sharp. You can rest now."

"No rush. Ms. Lu, you mentioned on the plane that Merrill Lynch's investment banking division is very familiar with listed companies' asset restructuring and private placements."

"Yes." Lu Jingyi nodded. "Merrill Lynch has a very mature team for capital operations in the Hong Kong stock market. They can handle everything from existing share transfers, rights issues, placements, convertible bonds, backdoor listings, and the subsequent introduction of strategic investors."

Chen Mo turned around and looked at her: "Before the meeting tonight, please prepare a preliminary list for me."

Lu Jingyi immediately got to work: "Do you need a list of shell resources?"

"Yes." Chen Mo walked to the sofa and sat down, pulling out a list of companies that he had already screened.

"Prioritize companies with a market capitalization of less than HK$4 million, with a maximum of HK$6 million. The controlling shareholder's shareholding ratio should not be too dispersed, and it is best to have a clear controlling shareholder to facilitate negotiations on the transfer of control."

Lu Jingyi took out her phone and quickly took notes.

"What about the debt situation?"

"There cannot be large amounts of hidden guarantees, complex litigation, or obvious regulatory penalties. The main business can be poor, and the cash flow can be weak, but the shell company must be clean."

"Industry preferences?"

"Traditional manufacturing, trade, niche consumer goods, marginal real estate, and small financial services are all acceptable." Chen Mo paused, "but avoid shell companies with local community ties behind them, and also avoid those with overly complex equity pledge chains."

Lu Jingyi paused slightly as she tapped the screen. She looked up at Chen Mo. The real trouble with Hong Kong-listed shell companies was never just the finances, but the relationships behind them.

Local families, brokerage firms, shady funds, penny stock players, debt disputes, etc.—if you don't see any of these things clearly, the acquisition of a shell company could turn into a disaster.

Chen Mo, however, seemed to have known about these pitfalls all along.

"Mr. Chen, you understand the Hong Kong market much better than I thought," Lu Jingyi said softly.

"It's just that I did a little more homework."

This is the same answer again.

Lu Jingyi has become somewhat immune to this; she even feels that Chen Mo is more professional than herself in some aspects.

"What about the target price?" she asked.

"It would be best to acquire control for two to three hundred million Hong Kong dollars," Chen Mo said. "If the shell company is clean enough, the price can be kept under four hundred million. But I'm not in a hurry; let's take our time choosing."

"Understood." Lu Jingyi nodded. "I will have the Hong Kong team screen a batch of candidates from publicly available data, internal resources of securities firms, and investment bank project databases. I will give you the first draft of the list before the meeting tonight."

"It's not about having the team screen them," Chen Mo said, looking at her. "You screen them yourself."

Lu Jingyi was taken aback.

Chen Mo continued, "Don't put this into the public project team for now. You can use the resources, but the final list will first go to you, and then to me."

Lu Jingyi's eyes narrowed slightly; she understood.

Chen Mo didn't distrust Merrill Lynch; rather, he didn't want too many people to know that he had made early investments in Hong Kong-listed shell companies.

After all, his operations in the foreign exchange market have already attracted enough attention from some people.

"Don't worry, Mr. Chen." Lu Jingyi put away her tablet. "I will handle this personally."

"Yes. Also, at tonight's Merrill Lynch meeting, I mentioned that I want to create a European currency hedging portfolio."

Chen Mo stated calmly, "The Euro, Swiss Franc, and British Pound are all included. The trading direction and time window are unclear; the only requirements are efficient access, quotas, margin requirements, and consistent pricing under extreme market conditions."

"Is it the same with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley?" she asked.

"Same," Chen Mo said.

Lu Jingyi suddenly smiled.

"Mr. Chen, I'm starting to feel sorry for the team that's having a meeting with you tonight."

Why?

"Because they think they're dealing with customers." Lu Jingyi raised an eyebrow slightly. "But in reality, you're including them in your risk control too."

Chen Mo smiled as well.

"In the financial markets, everyone is a variable."

As Lu Jingyi looked at him, the excitement in her heart grew stronger.

Chen Mo was unlike anyone she had ever met; the contrast in their ages and identities made her feel extremely conflicted.

This sense of contradiction made Lu Jingyi want to get closer and see what kind of person he really was.

Just then, the suite doorbell rang.

The personal butler entered and bowed slightly: "Mr. Chen, the meeting materials sent by Merrill Lynch Hong Kong have arrived."

"Let it go."

"OK."

The butler placed two black filing boxes on the table and then left.

Lu Jingyi glanced at the time.

4:20 PM.

There were less than three hours until the meeting was scheduled to begin.

"Mr. Chen, I'll go to the business suite next door to organize the list of shell companies," Lu Jingyi said. "I'll send it to you before 6:30."

"Thank you for your hard work. I'll treat you to a meal after this is done."

As soon as she reached the door, Lu Jingyi raised her eyebrows slightly, seemingly a little surprised that Chen Mo would say such a thing.

"This is my personal request, so naturally I have to show my appreciation," Chen Mo continued.

Lu Jingyi gave a sweet smile: "Then I'll be waiting for President Chen's feast!"