Chapter 175: Three Xus Become Tigers

Zhao Corporation, CEO’s Office.

Staring at the stock chart on the computer screen showing the steep decline, Xu Yinsheng’s heart was bleeding.

Ever since some nobody leaked the “Zhao Corporation’s Winning Proposal,”

the company’s stock price had been fluctuating wildly three times a day, plummeting without any sign of stopping!

And just now, within a few minutes, the stock price had fallen again.

Xu Yinsheng watched helplessly as the shares she had recently purchased with her salary crashed in value—in other words, her little savings were melting away like snowflakes.

Ugh!

It hurt so much!

Although her position as secretary was in name only, it was still her very first paycheck.

After hastily selling off some stocks to cut her losses, she closed her laptop and glanced sideways.

Zhao Yicheng’s computer screen also displayed that same drop chart, even more detailed than hers.

But Zhao Yicheng showed no trace of panic—in fact, he looked calm and collected, as if the Zhao Corporation’s plummeting stock price had nothing to do with him.

“Old Zhao, stop this health preservation nonsense! Health preservation won’t cure your mental illness!”

Xu Yinsheng couldn’t help but remind him.

“You don’t want your family to go bankrupt, do you? Hurry up and organize people to save the market!!”

Zhao Yicheng shook his head leisurely as he peeled an apple from the fruit plate, then casually dropped a line that completely shocked Xu Yinsheng.

“No rush. It can still drop further.”

Xu Yinsheng’s expression froze in disbelief.

Was Zhao Yicheng out of his mind?

The stock price had already crashed this badly and he was saying it could still fall more?

Was he having another episode?

But she hadn’t done anything recently to trigger him!

Zhao Yicheng had no intention of explaining.

After a while, when the apple was fully peeled, he stood up and placed the peeled apple on Xu Yinsheng’s desk, then patted her on the head.

“I’m heading out. I probably won’t be back until late. Eat dinner yourself in the staff canteen or order takeout.”

“If you want to make money, buy in at 6 p.m.—that’s usually the lowest point for the stock price.”

Saying this, he left without waiting for her reaction.

Looking at the now-closed door, Xu Yinsheng blankly stared at the plate of apples.

Damn riddler!

She picked up one apple and took a fierce bite.

***

The clock struck six in the afternoon.

The Zhao Corporation’s stock price had been crashing nonstop, making Xu Yinsheng’s heart tremble in fear.

Usually, even if money was lost, it made some noise when flowing away, but now, hundreds of billions evaporated like tiny shrimp sinking into the ocean, silent and unheard.

Glancing at the clock to confirm the time, she restrained her curiosity and followed Zhao Yicheng’s advice, buying all the remaining shares she could with her salary.

Even if she lost everything, it was fine.

She’d make Zhao Yicheng pay later—after all, it was just throwing a tantrum.

Right after Xu Yinsheng used all her cash to buy in, nothing changed on the screen; the stock price kept falling.

“Why is it still dropping? Zhao Yicheng wouldn’t…”

Xu Yinsheng’s words faltered as the line on the stock chart, which should have plummeted in a straight line, suddenly shot upwards!

Like it was injected with adrenaline—no, rocket fuel!

With every passing second, the stock price representing Zhao Corporation surged upward at an incredible, straight-line rate, increasing by over a hundred thousand points per second!

This rise wasn’t a brief rebound but a true, explosive recovery—no, a supernova explosion straight up!

In the blink of an eye, Zhao’s stock price skyrocketed!

Xu Yinsheng instinctively slapped her brand-new laptop, thinking either her computer was hacked or her eyes were malfunctioning.

But neither was the case!

This meant that within just five minutes, Zhao Corporation’s stock had not only returned to its original price but soared even higher!

“Hiss!”

Xu Yinsheng gasped.

At that moment, she seemed to see countless people leaping off rooftops!

From street corners to the sea, from Huayun Federation to the entire world, floating were the corpses of financiers.

The Federation’s sky was washed red with the blood of financial institutions.

Tonight would be a sleepless night for many!

“A conspiracy!”

“A blatant conspiracy!!”

“If this isn’t a conspiracy, I’ll eat these three cards!”

Xu Yinsheng shouted as she finally understood.

Slap!

A sharp sound rang out!

Xu Yinsheng’s head was knocked.

She rubbed the side of her head and glanced sideways, seeing two other “Xu Yinshengs” sitting beside her, identical in looks and expression, as if carved from the same mold.

The only way to tell them apart was by their stockings—one wore white silk, the other black silk.

The three women sat cross-legged on the Ludo carpet, with “White Silk Xu Yinsheng” withdrawing her hand, crossing one leg over the other, holding a hand of cards.

“Conspiracy my ass! Come on, let’s keep playing cards.”

“Yes, cards! This isn’t something for us to worry about,” agreed “Black Silk Xu Yinsheng.”

The three sat around the carpet and continued their card game, with many cards already played.

“Black Silk Xu Yinsheng” made the first move: “Three with one! Three 10s with a 2!”

“I’ll follow, three with one! Three 2s with a 10!”

“Bomb! Four 2s!!”

“Uh…wait. How many decks are we using?”

“Just one.”

“One deck with eight 2s?!”

The three exchanged suspicious looks, then Xu Yinsheng was ruthlessly tackled by the “Black and White Xu Yinshengs.”

In unison, the two accused, “You’re definitely cheating!”

After Zhao Yicheng left, the whole afternoon had been incredibly boring for Xu Yinsheng.

Playing games alone was no fun, so she split her body into two liquid metal forms that morphed into herself, making three of them play Dou Di Zhu together.

As for how “thought synchronization” worked with the card game—it was simple.

Just slightly weaken the synchronization.

For Xu Yinsheng, who had previously tried the [Self-Splitting] mode, this was not too difficult.

***

6 p.m.

She ordered three family buckets, still hungry, then added fresh-squeezed orange juice and charcoal-grilled lamb.

The charcoal-grilled lamb was fragrant and savory, sprinkled with bright red chili powder and tiny white sesame seeds, wrapped around crispy grilled meat chunks that glistened under the light.

Putting a piece in her mouth, the initial flavor was the fresh savoriness from the charcoal fire, followed by the spicy powder mixed with meat juices rolling over her tongue.

The meat was chewy and tender, perfectly balanced between fat and lean.

The fresh-squeezed orange juice with ice cubes—taking a gentle sip, the straw pushed aside the transparent ice and orange slices in the cup, pulling a cold mouthful of liquid that flooded her mouth with sweet and sour flavor.

The lingering spicy sensation on her tongue and the residual greasiness in her throat were instantly washed away.

Burp! Full now.

After eating, they continued playing cards.

***

7 p.m.

A cleaner came in to tidy up.

Seeing the three Xu Yinshengs, she didn’t change expression, but after finishing and pushing out the trash cart, Xu Yinsheng vaguely heard her mutter, “President Zhao sure knows how to have fun.”

***

7:30 p.m.

Several news alerts popped up on the phone screen—Zhao Corporation had signed contracts with multiple companies.

Meanwhile, many other groups like the Bai and Li clans were excluded from this major cooperation and were pulling out investments, causing the stock price to drop.

Thanks to tips from concerned citizens, authorities found Bai Corporation involved in multiple tax evasion cases and had launched an investigation…

***

8 p.m.

While playing cards, Xu Yinsheng scrolled through Douyin.

The top ten trending topics were all about rooftop jumpers—some dead, some alive, some half-dead.

Some had jumped, some hadn’t.

Some were still struggling.

***

10 p.m.

Past official working hours, only the CEO’s office lights remained on in the entire company.

Moonlight shone through the glass windows.

The spilled alcohol on the floor looked like scattered salt crystals.

The three Xu Yinshengs sat cross-legged on the Ludo carpet, still playing Dou Di Zhu, their little faces covered with sticky notes.

It was obvious they had been completely engrossed in their game!