Slowly sitting down, Zhang Chongan followed Jiang Han's gaze and spotted Su Qingyi near the window. Just as she turned around, he waved at her.
"Xiao Su, come here," he called out.
Su Qingyi's face brightened when she saw him.
Zhang Chongan was the youngest account manager at Zhongxin Securities, widely recognized for his talent. Having someone like him acknowledge her was a big deal.
But just as she was about to respond, her gaze fell on Jiang Han sitting beside Zhang Chongan.
Her brief happiness faded, replaced by cold indifference.
Jiang Han noticed but said nothing. He simply looked away.
"You two know each other?" Zhang Chongan asked, clearly curious about their dynamic.
Before Su Qingyi could answer, Jiang Han took the lead. "Of course. We were classmates."
Su Qingyi's expression remained indifferent. She never liked people like Jiang Han—wealthy, arrogant, and seemingly untouchable.
Zhang Chongan, oblivious to the tension, grinned. "Perfect! Since this is your first real exposure to the stock market, I was thinking of pairing you up with someone. Xiao Su, you already know him, so it's even better—"
He paused mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing slightly before turning to Su Qingyi.
"Wait a second. Xiao Su, since you joined the exchange, you haven't really been involved in investment work, have you?"
Su Qingyi hesitated before shaking her head.
"Then how about this—be Jiang Han's assistant?"
Su Qingyi stiffened.
On one hand, she wanted to refuse immediately. But the truth was, ever since she started working at the exchange, all she had been doing was menial tasks—serving tea, organizing files. She had barely learned anything about real investing.
This was an opportunity.
After a moment of silence, she exhaled slowly.
"...Alright."
"Great! You'll be Jiang Han's personal assistant from today. I'll inform HR." Zhang Chongan grinned, clearly satisfied with himself.
Jiang Han, however, pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling an incoming headache.
Before either of them could protest, Zhang Chongan downed the last of his porridge, clapped Jiang Han on the shoulder, and stood up.
"You two get to know each other. I'll take care of the formalities."
And just like that, he strolled out of the cafeteria.
Jiang Han sighed, watching his retreating figure. "That guy is too much."
After a brief silence, he turned to Su Qingyi. "You don't seem too happy about this arrangement."
Su Qingyi was momentarily taken aback by the directness of his question. She quickly composed herself. "I don't know what you mean."
Jiang Han smirked. "I look that easy to fool?"
Su Qingyi pursed her lips, refusing to respond.
"Let me guess… It's because of my reputation?" Jiang Han chuckled. "You think I'm just another rich kid messing around, and you don't want to work with me?"
Su Qingyi's eyes flickered, confirming his words.
Jiang Han leaned back, crossing his arms. "Relax. I'm here to trade stocks, not to bother you."
Su Qingyi blinked. "Really?"
"Really."
For some reason, that answer made her shoulders ease slightly.
Maybe she could handle this after all.
—
After finishing their meal, they returned their trays and left the cafeteria together.
On the way, Su Qingyi couldn't help but ask, "So… what exactly am I supposed to do as your assistant?"
Jiang Han thought for a moment. "Simple. I'm here to trade stocks. Your job is to help me keep track of the market and operations."
"Understood."
When they reached the first-floor trading hall, the market had already opened. Investors filled the room, their eyes locked onto the electronic displays, scanning stock movements like hawks hunting prey.
Jiang Han walked straight to the massive screen displaying Yongan Industrial's stock data.
He gestured for Su Qingyi to bring over two stools.
Leaning back, he crossed one leg over the other, looking completely at ease.
Su Qingyi stared at him, unimpressed. "Do you take anything seriously?"
Jiang Han ignored her, his attention fixed on the stock ticker.
Her gaze followed his line of sight, and in an instant, her eyes widened.
Yongan Industrial was skyrocketing.
"What the—" she whispered, completely caught off guard.
The market had barely been open for twenty minutes, yet Yongan's stock had already surged by two percentage points.
"A growth rate like this…" Su Qingyi muttered, unable to believe what she was seeing.
She turned to Jiang Han. "Are you going to buy in?"
Jiang Han smirked. "Just wait."
Without another word, he stood up and walked towards the café near the entrance.
Su Qingyi was stunned.
Wait?
Then it hit her.
Wait… Could it be?
Her stomach twisted as realization dawned.
"Jiang Han… Did you already buy this stock?"
Yongan Industrial had been highly volatile for the past two months. It had been on a steady decline, dropping for five consecutive days.
The exchange had even warned account managers against recommending it to clients.
But yesterday…
Yesterday, it had suddenly hit its daily limit.
And now, Jiang Han wasn't panicking. He wasn't scrambling to buy in.
Because he already had.
Su Qingyi inhaled sharply.
Was this pure luck… or something else?