"Old Liao, this ham is really meant to be eaten by hand!" Zhongshi stopped Liao Chengde, who was about to take further action, waved his hand, and wore a strange smile on his face.
"Is that so?" Liao Chengde looked at Zhongshi suspiciously, then at Liao Xiaohua, who was completely absorbed. He then picked up a thin slice of ham with his hand and muttered to himself, "Foreigners are barbarians; they don't even care about etiquette when eating. They can't compare to our great nation with its five thousand years of culture!"
After saying this, he put the ham in his mouth, chewed it carefully, and nodded, saying softly, "I didn't expect the foreigners' stuff to have some flavor. Although it doesn't look impressive and their dining habits aren't very civilized, the taste is quite good, comparable to Jinhua ham!"
"Dad, how can Jinhua ham compare to this? Do you know how precious this is?" Liao Xiaohua took a sip of red wine, waited until the taste on his taste buds had completely dissipated, and then laughed lightly, with a hint of disdain.
When it came to food, Liao Xiaohua was definitely a professional gourmet. He had almost visited all the well-known restaurants in Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories, and sometimes even wrote articles for food magazines.
For his father, who exuded a rustic air, he indeed looked down on him in some aspects, such as wearing a mandarin jacket every day, having baozi and youtiao for breakfast, and speaking only a few words of English, while mostly speaking the dialect of his hometown.
Liao Xiaohua grew up under his father's strict discipline, so he wasn't too bad in terms of academics and character. However, after studying abroad in Australia, he gradually became assimilated to Western habits. Hong Kong is a highly internationalized metropolis, and there are many young people like Liao Xiaohua who were born in Hong Kong, studied abroad, and then returned to serve. People like Liao Chengde, who were born in mainland China and struggled in Hong Kong, were often looked down upon by them.
The 1980s and 1990s were a period of economic transformation in Hong Kong. Many manufacturing factories moved north, while the financial and tourism industries became new growth points for the Hong Kong economy. There was a high demand for financial talent, and these people often graduated from prestigious foreign universities, spoke English more fluently than their native language, and shuttled between skyscrapers, feeling a sense of superiority over the average working class.
However, for the wealthy tycoons in the city, such as Li Ka-shing and Cheng Yu-tung, they had no contempt at all. Even the financial companies that employed them were respectful in front of these tycoons.
Clearly, Liao Chengde had not yet reached that level, and since Liao Xiaohua was his own son, he didn't hide his feelings.
Since returning from Melbourne, Australia, Liao Xiaohua hadn't done anything serious. He spent his days eating and drinking with a group of friends, or dating minor celebrities. Over the years, he had almost forgotten all the professional knowledge he had learned in Australia.
Liao Chengde was busy with his business, mostly in mainland China, and had few opportunities to discipline his grown son. Later, when he met Zhongshi, he had the chance to lecture him a bit, but Liao Xiaohua often just listened and did nothing. Liao Chengde was very frustrated, but after Liao Xiaohua was impressed by Zhongshi, he became more obedient, which comforted Liao Chengde.
"Kid, are you looking for a beating?" Liao Chengde glared, putting on a fierce look, but he wasn't really angry. However, he was somewhat dissatisfied with Liao Xiaohua's criticism of his country's cuisine.
"Old Liao, stop pretending. This ham is indeed far superior to Jinhua ham!" Zhongshi interrupted the banter between father and son, then glanced at Lu Hu, who was silent, as if seeking his opinion.
Seeing the three pairs of eyes on him, Lu Hu panicked and quickly nodded, indicating his agreement with Zhongshi.
"Three to one!" Liao Xiaohua triumphantly held up three fingers, causing Liao Chengde to roll his eyes, take a big sip of red wine, and let out a long sigh.
"By the way, Old Liao, how is your current position?" Zhongshi skillfully cut the steak, seemingly casually asking.
"Right now, I have two accounts. One has about 300 short positions, and the other has about 100 short positions. In total, I've invested tens of millions, and I've made a little profit." Liao Chengde stopped his work, thought for a moment, and then slowly replied.
"The Federal Reserve now has a new chairman, Alan Greenspan, who announced an interest rate hike a few days ago. As a result, the market panic was released today, causing the U.S. stock market to plummet. This is not good news for the Hong Kong stock market, given the linked exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the U.S. dollar." Zhongshi thought for a moment, then frowned, saying that he couldn't say much about Liao Chengde's caution, but missing this opportunity to make money was his own fault.
The name Alan Greenspan was well-known to Zhongshi. He served as the Federal Reserve chairman for nearly two decades, spanning six U.S. presidents, and was called the "economic czar" and the "dollar president." He received the treatment of a head of state wherever he went.
It could be said without exaggeration that the entire global capital market followed Greenspan's lead. Investors even went to great lengths to study his speeches, trying to catch even the slightest hint. The financial world even said, "It doesn't matter who the president is, as long as Alan (Greenspan) is the Federal Reserve chairman."
There was even a widely circulated anecdote in the market about a cleaner at the Federal Reserve headquarters who revealed his stock trading secret: he watched Greenspan's face every morning. If Greenspan was smiling and greeted him warmly, he would buy. If Greenspan's face was not smiling in the morning, he would sell.
However, Greenspan had just taken the position of Federal Reserve chairman, starting a new chapter in his legendary life. The market still held a wait-and-see attitude toward him.
The Federal Reserve, or the U.S. Federal Reserve System, is equivalent to a central bank. It has absolute authority in areas such as the U.S. dollar exchange rate, interest rates, and monetary policy, and its every move affects the global economy.
"What do you mean?" Liao Chengde was a bit confused by Zhongshi's technical jargon, but he understood the general meaning, which seemed to suggest that the Hong Kong stock market would continue to fall.
"Because of the increase in bank interest rates, part of the money in the market will be chosen as bank savings. This will have a negative impact on the stock market, causing stock prices to fall. Mr. Zhong, am I right?" Liao Xiaohua explained Zhongshi's technical terms in simpler terms to Liao Chengde and then turned to ask Zhongshi.
"You're right!" Zhongshi nodded in approval. The relationship between the stock market and interest rates is actually an economic theory. Zhongshi thought for a moment and then asked curiously, "Xiaohua, what did you study in Australia?"
"Accounting, but I also minored in economics. How's that, impressive, right!" Liao Xiaohua said proudly.
"Alright!" Zhongshi nodded expressionlessly. For someone who graduated from the California Institute of Technology, Australian universities were like passing clouds. After a moment's thought, Zhongshi asked, "Xiaohua, are you interested in being my analyst?"
He had called Liao Xiaohua "Xiaohua" several times, a term of endearment used only by peers and close friends of Liao Chengde. However, given Zhongshi's age and experience, it didn't feel inappropriate.
Liao Xiaohua, being called "Xiaohua," didn't find it inappropriate either. He was first stunned, then couldn't believe his ears, and said somewhat out of character, "Mr. Zhong, you're willing to let me help you?"
"Zhongshi, this is really not appropriate! I know my son best. He's good for nothing except eating, drinking, and playing!" Liao Chengde couldn't sit still and quickly stopped him.
"Hehe, I'm not asking him to help me right now. As you know, I plan to set up a fund, which will need some professionals. But that's a few years down the line. Xiaohua is your son, so it's natural to use him. Besides, Old Liao, you don't want your son to just drift through life, do you?" Zhongshi laughed, revealing a bit of his future plans and subtly hinting at Liao Chengde.
Liao Chengde's face turned red, and he didn't say anything. Liao Xiaohua's face also turned red, and he didn't know what to say.
"Since you have an accounting background, go to one of the 'Big Five' and work solidly for two years in auditing. Then jump to an investment bank and work as an analyst. When you're well-trained, come and help me. By then, my fund will be up and running, and of course, there will be a share for you, Old Liao."
Zhongshi's cold gaze was fixed on Liao Xiaohua, waiting for his response.
At the time, there were five large auditing firms in the world, but one later went bankrupt due to a fake accounting scandal, leading to the "Big Four" in the future. However, whether in an auditing firm or an investment bank, the work was extremely demanding, with at least 100 hours of work per week.
"No problem, as long as you give the order, I'll do it, even if it means risking my life!" Liao Xiaohua was stunned at first, then nodded vigorously and immediately agreed.
His quick agreement surprised even Lu Hu, who had been eating quietly. Liao Chengde blinked wildly, unable to believe what was happening. How could his arrogant and unruly son change so quickly and so thoroughly?
What Liao Chengde didn't know was that his son had been thoroughly impressed by Zhongshi's performance in the futures market. Liao Xiaohua was so excited by Zhongshi's prowess in the futures market that he saw a goal and direction in life, realizing he couldn't continue his aimless lifestyle.
With Liao Xiaohua's promise, Zhongshi didn't say anything more and began to savor the delicious steak on his plate. The others were also lost in their own thoughts and didn't say much, not knowing what the rich meal tasted like in their mouths.
On October 18, 1987, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, James Baker, made a shocking statement on a nationally televised program: if West Germany did not reduce interest rates to stimulate economic growth, the United States would consider allowing the dollar to continue to fall.
The final straw that broke the camel's back had finally arrived! (The content will no longer be overly humorous, and the climax is about to begin. I hope for your support, recommendations, and collections. Thank you!)