19: Chapter 19 The Correct Way to Open a Golden Name

While Lin Ning was still thinking about the "Big Buddha" comment, Tao Shuyu smiled and let go of his hand.

"I often hear Wang Qiao mention his roommates, saying you guys have a great bond," Tao Shuyu said unhurriedly, sitting back relaxed on the sofa. "This kind of friendship where you still help each other out after graduation is rare these days."

He spoke politely, without prying into any privacy, while expressing appreciation for their brotherhood.

Lin Ning sat down next to Wang Qiao and rubbed his face to wake himself up. "Hello, Brother Tao. We're just messing around, the kind of friends who drag each other down."

Tao Shuyu laughed. "Being able to drag each other down means neither of you has let go."

Wang Qiao brought over some tea, and the three of them officially settled in for a chat. Lin Ning glanced at the top of Tao Shuyu's head again—that golden color was truly dazzling, as if the brightness of the entire living room had been turned up two notches.

Gold [Tao Shuyu, Independent Investor]

Since both were Wang Qiao's friends, he naturally spoke first. "Lin Zi, Brother Tao is super amazing. In the investment world, he's known as the Midas Touch."

Tao Shuyu chuckled and waved his hand repeatedly. "Is 'Wang the Flatterer' online so soon? Haha, Lin Ning, don't listen to him. I just have good luck."

Wang Qiao disagreed and said seriously to Lin Ning, "Brother Tao is being modest. He's a one-man team. As an Independent Investor, his profit margins are better than many companies."

Lin Ning knew Wang Qiao's personality. Casual praise was just his nature, but emphasizing it twice meant he truly respected the man.

Lin Ning asked Tao Shuyu curiously, "Brother Tao, you're an Independent Investor? What do you usually do?"

"I dabble in everything, but mostly Digital Currency and Secondary Markets," Tao Shuyu took a sip of tea. "Wang Qiao knows that I've basically lived off this for the past two years."

Wang Qiao added, "Brother Tao has a very sharp eye. He took me along for a small wave last year, and I earned three months' worth of rent." He spoke naturally, showing they were indeed on good terms.

Lin Ning's heart skipped a beat. A golden name... wealth... this living example right in front of him made a certain thought in his mind become clear.

He couldn't follow the lottery, but he could follow investments! The gold color probably wasn't just simple luck; perhaps it represented successful people? People with extreme wealth? Was it a form of Providence?

Tao Shuyu then looked at Wang Qiao. "By the way, that opportunity I mentioned last time—it's about time to enter. Do you want to follow a bit? Making some pocket money shouldn't be a problem."

Wang Qiao's expression turned bitter. "Brother Tao, I don't have any money to make a fortune with you lately... After paying off my debts every month, I'm lucky if I can even eat my fill."

Tao Shuyu waved it off. "You don't need much, just ten thousand or so for practice. If it loses, it's on me; if it wins, you treat me to dinner."

Tao Shuyu had fought his way through the financial circles and had seen many people and even more of human nature, so he truly liked this kid.

He had always wanted to mentor Wang Qiao. After all, for a man, once he has money and a career, he needn't worry about finding a wife.

The offer was made casually, but it carried significant weight. Listening from the side, Lin Ning's opinion of Tao Shuyu rose another notch—taking the initiative to guide a friend and being willing to cover the losses was truly honorable.

"He has it," Lin Ning spoke up.

Wang Qiao was stunned. "Lin Zi, you..."

Lin Ning had already taken out his phone, tapped it a few times, and then looked at Tao Shuyu. "Brother Tao, Wang Qiao lent me ten thousand for an emergency before, and I just paid him back. Could I trouble you to help him open an account with this? If it loses, it's on him. If it wins... if it wins, let him treat us all to dinner."

He spoke cleverly, solving Wang Qiao's lack of funds without making Tao Shuyu take on an extra favor—the money was Wang Qiao's own, it had just passed through another hand.

Tao Shuyu looked at Lin Ning with a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Sure."

Lin Ning said with a smile, "If it's not too much trouble, Brother Tao, could I also see how it's done? I'm a total novice, I just want to broaden my horizons."

He spoke humbly and kept his posture low. Tao Shuyu didn't refuse, taking out his phone to pull up some charts.

"This coin right here," he pointed at the screen. "The market makers have been washing the plate for two months; it's about time to move. However, this kind of small-cap coin is volatile. You have to run after making a profit; you can't get greedy."

He briefly explained a few key price points and the logic behind it. He spoke bluntly, without any of those pretentious professional terms. Lin Ning listened intently; although he didn't understand most of it, he could feel the clarity of the other man's logic.

When Tao Shuyu finished, Lin Ning hesitated for a moment before asking, "Brother Tao, I have a layman's question—for this kind of pool, if I put in another fifty thousand, will it affect your operation? If it'll cause trouble, I won't follow."

This was a matter of boundaries. Since it wasn't his own connection, he couldn't just brashly push his way in.

Tao Shuyu glanced at him and laughed. "Fifty thousand? This kind of coin has a nine-figure daily trading volume; your little bit of money won't even make a splash. Whether you follow is up to you, but let me say this first—investing has risks. Don't cry if you lose."

"I won't," Lin Ning felt confident now. "If I lose, I'll consider it tuition. If I win, I'll treat Brother Tao to dinner."

Lin Ning downloaded the app, opened an account for himself, and transferred fifty thousand into it with swift and decisive movements. Wang Qiao watched from the side, opening his mouth to say something, but ultimately remaining silent.

Tao Shuyu sent over the operating procedures and gave a few more key reminders: "Remember, withdraw as soon as you see a 30% return. Don't be greedy. The market never lacks opportunities; what it lacks is the principal to survive until the next one."

These were practical words, and Lin Ning took them to heart.

To Tao Shuyu, this amount of money was just a drop in the bucket, like taking two kids along to earn some pocket money. Once finished, he let it go and chatted with Wang Qiao and Lin Ning about other things.

An hour later, Tao Shuyu stood up to take his leave.

Wang Qiao and Lin Ning tried to keep him for dinner, but he waved them off. "I really have something to do; I've got a meeting to discuss a project. Next time, when you guys have made some money, treat me to a good meal."

After seeing Tao Shuyu off, the two of them stood downstairs for a while. The early summer breeze blew over, carrying a hint of warmth.

"Brother Tao is a very good person," Wang Qiao said suddenly. "We met at an industry forum two years ago. I was just a little assistant running errands back then, and he was the keynote speaker. After it ended, I went to him to ask some questions, and he actually patiently talked to me for half an hour."

As Lin Ning listened, he gained a new understanding of Wang Qiao's social skills—being able to make a friend who was truly willing to help across social classes wasn't just about being "socially adept," it was a reflection of his personal charm.

"After we became friends, he didn't have any of those bad habits rich people usually have," Wang Qiao continued. "Last time he found out I broke up, he even called to say I could reach out anytime if I needed anything. He even made a special trip to see me today. Even though he's an Independent Investor, he's actually super busy."

Lin Ning patted his shoulder. "It also proves that you're a good guy. Otherwise, why would a group of 'dads' like us love you so much? Hahaha..."

Wang Qiao swatted Lin Ning's hand away and tried to put him in a headlock. "I'm the dad!"

Lin Ning turned and ran, not forgetting to look back and sing mockingly, "Oh~ my papa, I want my mama~~"

Wang Qiao was fuming at this bastard who kept rubbing salt in his wounds, chasing after him. "Wow, are you a child? Looking for your mama every day, do you want some milk too?!"

After their horseplay, the two of them, with messy hair and disheveled clothes, found a small local eatery by the roadside.

The midday sun spilled through the glass door, creating a mottled pattern on the slightly greasy table like a painting.

Lin Ning let out a "Holy crap!" and held his phone up to Wang Qiao. "In just this short while, the digital coin we bought has gone up by eight percent!"