45: Chapter 45: Looting isn't so easy.

As the saying goes, let go of the urge to help others and respect their fate. Seeing Chen Sheng's persistence, Wu Lang casually pulled a stack of materials from the pile of documents on the table and placed them in front of him.

"This is the 'Stock Trading Essentials.' Take a look for yourself first, and take a copy with you when you leave."

Chen Sheng picked up the materials, curious about what exactly was written in this stack that was as thick as a book.

He flipped to the first page.

Well!

The materials looked even more like a book now.

It even had a table of contents.

1. What are Stocks?

2. How to Open an Account

3. How to Choose Stocks

4. Stock Trading Mechanisms

5. How to Become a Qualified Investor

These were the study topics for the beginner stage.

There was also an advanced version further back.

For example, how to predict stock trends through Red and Blue K-line Charts, how to use one's own channels to quickly gather stock information, timing for closing positions, how to save oneself from a Margin Call, and so on.

Not bad! It was quite professional... no, very professional.

Chen Sheng asked curiously, "Fatty, I've always known you teach people how to trade stocks, but how are your own trades doing?"

"Trade stocks? Not even a dog would do that." Having finished his breakfast, Wu Lang casually wiped the grease from his mouth with his hand, then used that same greasy hand to drag a nearby laptop toward him.

Opening the computer, Fatty moved the mouse and clicked on a piece of software on the desktop, introducing it: "I usually use this stock trading simulator. The interface is the same as actual trading software. Actually, there's not much to say about opening an account; I'll demonstrate it once and you'll pretty much get it. The hard part of trading is choosing the stocks."

After opening the simulator, Wu Lang opened a real stock trading software and placed the two interfaces side-by-side. He said proudly, "What do you think of my simulator? I spent a lot to get this. Except for the profits being virtual, everything else is the same; even the stocks inside are linked in real-time."

Chen Sheng gave him a thumbs up.

Although he didn't quite understand but felt it was impressive, praising him was the right move.

"Haha! Impressive, right?" Wu Lang bragged a bit, "Over the past few years, I've recruited over a thousand students using this simulator."

"Impressive!" Chen Sheng echoed sincerely.

A gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. Since Wu Lang was willing to tell him all this, he truly considered him a friend.

As for others...

Again, let go of the urge to help and respect their fate!

"Alright, back to business. I'll use the simulator to open an account. Watch carefully and tell me directly if there's anything you don't understand." As he spoke, Wu Lang let out a yawn. "Let's get this done quickly; I still need to go back for some sleep."

"Sorry for the trouble!" Chen Sheng handed over a cigarette to help Wu Lang perk up.

Wu Lang lit the cigarette and explained while operating, "Nowadays, you can open an account directly online. First, you need to choose a Brokerage. As for Brokerages, just pick any of the big, well-known ones."

"Download the corresponding app for the Brokerage, register an account, then fill in the account opening information, upload your ID and other documents. After submitting the application, it usually gets approved within 24 hours."

"Once your application is approved, you'll see this trading interface. Then you bind your bank card, deposit funds, and select stocks to buy."

"Note one thing: domestic stock trading follows a T+1 system, meaning if you buy today, you have to wait a day before you can trade it."

"Foreign ones are different. For example, in America, they use a T+0 system; you can trade on the same day you buy."

At this point, Wu Lang sighed with complex emotions, "The domestic market isn't doing well right now. All the truly capable people have gone to trade foreign stocks."

Once again hitting a blind spot in his knowledge, Chen Sheng could only give Wu Lang an awkward but polite smile. He handed over another cigarette and asked, "How do you trade foreign stocks? Is it the same process as before?"

Wu Lang lit the new one. After a puff of smoke settled his emotions, he continued his explanation: "If you want to trade foreign stocks, you must find a Brokerage that has opened international securities services. This is actually quite convenient; several major platforms can do it now."

"However, you need to open a separate international trading account. The procedure is the same as what I just explained."

"This involves exchange rate issues, so the capital account is required to have related international services enabled. This is also simple; it can be resolved by calling the bank's service hotline or logging into their app."

Wu Lang crushed the cigarette butt into the ashtray. After a moment, he asked, "That's the process. Do you have any other questions?"

After thinking for a bit, Chen Sheng said, "I also want to ask about Leverage."

"Forget about Leverage. Stock trading is a high-risk activity. You're a newcomer with a new account and no trading history; even if you submit an application, it won't be approved."

Of course, as the saying goes, as long as one is willing to use their brain, there are always more solutions than problems. For a newcomer like Chen Sheng who wanted to apply for Leverage, there were still quite a few ways.

For example, finding a guarantee company...

But Wu Lang didn't say a word about that.

Especially when he saw the clear look of disappointment on Chen Sheng's face after hearing 'forget about Leverage,' he was even more afraid to mention it.

He couldn't control Chen Sheng's desire to trade stocks—that was a personal choice—but as long as he didn't use Leverage, even if he ended up being 'Leek' to be harvested, it was impossible for him to be wiped out all at once.

As long as he wasn't wiped out instantly, there would be a chance to cut losses and get out in time, preventing him from being reduced to nothing in one go.

As for why Wu Lang was willing to teach Chen Sheng about stock trading?

Because it was too simple.

This knowledge could be figured out just by going online and watching a few videos.

Rather than letting Chen Sheng figure it out through fragmented videos, it was better to explain it clearly himself. At least Chen Sheng wouldn't choose those unreliable small Brokerages mentioned in such videos.

On the other side, Chen Sheng was indeed very disappointed. He had accurate information, but his principal was only so much. If he couldn't apply for Leverage, even with a 21.7% increase, he wouldn't make much.

As for borrowing money to trade stocks?

Don't be ridiculous! In this day and age, as long as you don't mention borrowing money, everyone is a good friend; but as soon as you mention it, you immediately become a 'familiar stranger.'

Of course, Chen Sheng was confident he could borrow money; at least he was sure he could borrow from Old Yu based on their relationship.

But what would the reason be?

Lie?

One lie requires countless other lies to cover it up.

Tell the truth?

If someone who has never traded stocks says they want to borrow money for it, people would think they'd met a scammer.

So from the start, Chen Sheng had decided to use his own money to handle this matter quietly.

Suddenly, Chen Sheng thought of the introduction when the system was first activated:

['The value of each piece of information varies. The higher the system level, the higher the value of the information. Additionally, the pushed information is closely related to the host's daily life, what they see, think, and the people, events, and objects they encounter, and is not limited by geography.']

The system was currently Level 1, so perhaps it was destined that the value of the information provided daily wouldn't be too high.

Thinking of this, Chen Sheng had an epiphany.

Perhaps this piece of information itself limited how much profit could be made.

"As expected, picking up a bargain isn't that easy."

...