I'm back in 1990

Chapter 1115: Caution

Zhao Shizhang continued, "In your article, you suggested that the era of quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve is coming to an end. With Yellen taking office as the Chair of the Federal Reserve on the 3rd of this month, this signal is becoming increasingly clear."

Huang Xiaochuan didn't respond to that question, but instead asked another one: "Since Mr. Zhao works in the fund industry, what are your views on the global market this year?"

Zhao Shizhang was quite capable. He adjusted his glasses and said, "I think the division will intensify. Yellen's appointment is already a very clear signal. Leaving aside Europe for now, Japan is constantly depleting its foreign exchange reserves. The real power lies in the markets of China and the United States."

At this moment, Han Qiyan, who was standing to the side, asked, "What about Hong Kong?" As a local Hong Kong resident, Han Qiyan was naturally most concerned about Hong Kong.

Zhao Shizhang said, "Hong Kong is caught in the middle, which is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The convenience of free flow of funds is a plus when liquidity is smooth, but not when liquidity is blocked. I think that if the Fed's interest rate hike pace exceeds market expectations, asset prices in Hong Kong may fluctuate more significantly."

Huang Xiaochuan nodded; Zhao Shizhang did have some talent.

The three chatted for about ten more minutes, discussing everything from the European Central Bank's negative interest rate policy to how a certain country resolved its debt problem, from the digital economy to industrial bubbles. Each of them expressed their own opinions on these issues.

While Huang Xiaochuan was talking with Zhao Shizhang, Han Qiyan, and others, the other people at the party were also gathering in small groups to exchange pleasantries and pleasantries.

The female celebrities who came with business tycoons played a somewhat subtle role in this event.

Zhou Lingzhi, a popular actress in the film industry, wore a burgundy off-shoulder evening gown and had her hair styled in a bun. She walked hand in hand with the chairman of a listed company among the crowd.

Although she attracted some attention, she knew that in such a setting, the real power belonged to the men in suits with various understated luxury watches on their wrists, especially the richest man in Asia.

She spotted a female celebrity in the industry who seemed to be attending such an event for the first time and was unfamiliar with the rules of social occasions. She tried to approach Huang Xiaochuan and his group with a glass of champagne, but no one paid her any attention even though she stood nearby for several minutes.

The middle-aged man who brought her there, who was said to be in the luxury goods business, said something to her, and then the two of them went to another place together.

Zhou Lingzhi's eyes turned to Huang Xiaochuan again.

This wasn't the first time she'd heard this person's name; she'd seen his face in many financial magazines—Asia's richest man, a world-renowned economist.

What's most remarkable is that this man is neither bald nor overweight; he is tall and strong, with a handsome face, and his composure when talking to others is what fascinates her.

Having been in the entertainment industry for many years, Zhou Lingzhi has met many so-called successful people. She finds the pretentious rich people in public and their true colors in private extremely disgusting. The person in front of her doesn't seem to be from this industry at all, and she has never heard of him having any scandals.

She thought for a moment, then walked toward the man with the cocktail in her hand.

The chairman of the listed company who brought her along was chatting with a banker friend and had no time to pay attention to her, which was a perfect opportunity.

Zhou Lingzhi walked to the tea table where Huang Xiaochuan was, pretending to admire the night view of Victoria Harbour outside the window. The evening dress she had carefully chosen tonight made her skin look particularly fair, which gave her confidence.

As expected, she got her chance. Han Qiyan got up to greet the guests, and Zhao Shizhang also left after taking a phone call, leaving Huang Xiaochuan alone at the tea table.

Zhou Lingzhi seized the opportunity and walked up to Huang Xiaochuan.

"Hello, Mr. Huang!"

She tried her best to make her voice gentle and natural.

Huang Xiaochuan was looking out the window when he heard someone greet him. He turned around, glanced at the person, and politely nodded, "Hello!"

Zhou Lingzhi bowed slightly, her posture exceptionally elegant: "I am Zhou Lingzhi. I have always admired Mr. Huang's scholarship, and I am truly delighted to have the honor of meeting you today."

She looked completely sincere, with a smile on her face. She had used this line many times before, and it almost always worked.

This time she miscalculated. Huang Xiaochuan simply gave a faint "hmm" and looked back at the night view outside the window.

Zhou Lingzhi's smile froze on her face, but she quickly recovered and continued, "I have read many of your articles and I think you have particularly insightful views on the global economic situation."

Unfortunately, Huang Xiaochuan didn't even turn his head this time, only replying with one sentence: "My articles are highly technical, and most people would find them very difficult to read."

The implication was that he didn't believe she had actually read it.

The implication was that he didn't believe she had actually read it.

We can't talk today.

This was the first time Zhou Lingzhi had met someone like this. Her face flushed slightly, and she gritted her teeth, wanting to try again, just in case she succeeded.

At this moment, Gao Song appeared, standing perfectly between Zhou Lingzhi and Huang Xiaochuan, and bowed slightly: "Mr. Huang, Young Master Han said he would like to invite you to come up on stage and say a few words later."

Huang Xiaochuan waved his hand, showing no interest in speaking in this situation: "Just reply for me!"

"Okay!" Gao Song was about to leave.

But Huang Xiaochuan called out to him, "Wait."

Gao Song stopped in his tracks.

"Take me to the restroom."

"Ah..." After a moment of stunned silence, Gao Song immediately reacted and quickly led the way.

Huang Xiaochuan brushed past Zhou Lingzhi without lingering on her for even a second.

Zhou Lingzhi stood there holding the cocktail, her face as red as if it had been dyed.

She's been rejected before, but this is the first time she's been completely ignored like this.

This scene was witnessed by Fang Qian, another actress who was accompanying a real estate developer to the party. She walked over to Zhou Lingzhi and asked, "Lingzhi, what's wrong? Did I not give you face?"

Not wanting to lose face in front of her colleagues, Zhou Lingzhi smiled and said, "No, it was Young Master Han who contacted him."

Fang Qian nodded, but inwardly she was secretly laughing at Zhou Lingzhi for overestimating herself. That's how their circle is; they can't stand seeing anyone better than anyone else. When you become famous, people get jealous, and when you're down on your luck, there are plenty of people laughing at you.

Zhou Lingzhi didn't speak. She continued to look out the window, picked up her cocktail, took a sip, and her face regained its proper smile. After being in the industry for so many years, the first thing she had to learn was not to show her emotions on her face.

It is well known that Huang Xiaochuan dislikes associating with celebrities, so his actions were witnessed by several long-established Hong Kong tycoons present.

Someone couldn't help but mutter, "This Mr. Huang is truly extraordinary!"

Han Qiyan smiled and said, "Mr. Huang has always been like this. He never wastes time on these flowers and plants."

"Can he really remain unmoved while having someone in his lap?" Some people didn't believe it.

Han Qiyan glanced at the person who had just spoken and asked meaningfully, "Has any of you heard about his scandals?"

Huang Xiaochuan knew that his behavior would inevitably attract gossip, but he didn't care.

It's not like he's never been a womanizer; he's had his share of affairs with women in his past life. But in this life, he's at a different level, and his understanding of human nature is much deeper. As the saying goes, no one gets up early for nothing. If it weren't for his status, how could these female celebrities possibly take the initiative to approach him?

Moreover, he's now a target of criticism, and one wrong move could lead to his downfall. He's almost a hundred years old across two lifetimes; without this level of self-discipline, he wouldn't be where he is today.

As the party drew to a close, Huang Xiaochuan decided to leave.

Gao Song had already prepared the car. Just as Huang Xiaochuan was about to leave, a middle-aged man walked over quickly, but was stopped by Li Huan.

"Mr. Huang, Mr. Huang, could I have just one minute of your time?"

Huang Xiaochuan glanced at the man, who looked to be in his fifties and appeared to be very shrewd.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Shi Zhiqiang." He said, pulling out his business card. "Mr. Huang, I have a favor to ask; could I take a photo with you?"

Huang Xiaochuan didn't take the business card, but smiled politely and said, "Mr. Shi, I'm sorry, I have something to attend to."

After saying that, he walked towards the elevator, with Gao Song and Li Huan following closely behind.

Shi Zhiqiang stood there awkwardly at first, but after the elevator doors closed, his face was full of shame and anger.

Zhou Lingzhi witnessed this scene and felt a sense of relief. It turned out that the person treated everyone that way, not just her.