Chapter 33: Quantitative Assistance, Meeting Si Qing Again, The Demeanor of a Master

While surfing the internet, Yan Fei came across several articles regarding intelligent trading assistance and quantitative strategies. He was immediately captivated, feeling as though he had caught a glimpse of the embryonic form of the quantitative AI he had known in his past life.

A post titled "Legendary Figure Xu Xiang—The Supreme Leader of the Suicide Squad" caught his attention. After reading it thoroughly, he was struck by awe; Xu Xiang was nothing short of a living legend in China's secondary financial market, a true trendsetter amidst the turbulent tides of finance.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Yan Fei longed to pay him a visit, but having no one to provide an introduction, he felt a deep sense of regret. Among those he knew, only Li Feng might have the means to reach Xu Xiang. He promptly called Li Feng and expressed his desire to seek counsel from the master.

Li Feng agreed and prepared to contact Xu Xiang’s seat dealer to see if they could facilitate an introduction. After all, Yan Fei now possessed a certain level of status, so meeting Xu Xiang should not be an issue.

After hanging up, Yan Fei called Zhou Xiaohong. "Ask Fang Dazhuang to rent another five hundred square meters of office space," he instructed. "Also, register a private equity fund company. Have Zhang Song scout for three people with fund investment advisor licenses, eight general fund staff, a quantitative development engineer, a data scientist, an algorithmic trading engineer, a system architect, a DevOps engineer, a cybersecurity expert, a database administrator, and a front-end developer. Let's get the private equity firm established first."

Zhou Xiaohong quickly noted down the orders and began executing them immediately. Before long, Yan Fei’s phone rang. It was Li Feng: "Xiao Fei, Director Zhao from Tonghai has replied. He says Xu Xiang has time to meet you the day after tomorrow, but you will need to go to Shanghai."

Yan Fei’s face lit up with a joyful smile. "That’s wonderful! Thank you, Uncle Li. A friend gave me two bottles of Moutai this morning. You know I don’t drink, so I’ll bring them over to you tonight."

"Don't bother, Xiao Fei. I appreciate the sentiment," Li Feng replied, suddenly serious. "As far as I know, the CSRC is secretly investigating you. Given our close relationship, accepting expensive gifts would be like getting mud in your pants—you wouldn't be able to explain it away. Tell you what: you bring the wine, and I’ll invite Director Zhao from Tonghai. We’ll find a casual eatery tonight and finish the bottles there."

Yan Fei smiled and replied, "That sounds even better. Let’s find a private kitchen restaurant. I’ll arrange it and send you the location. By the way, Uncle, why is the CSRC hounding me? They clearly know I haven't done anything wrong."

Li Feng chuckled softly. "Where there are people, there is a world of strife. You make money, and others make less, so they naturally grow jealous. Even if you were purer than a virgin, others could still spread rumors that you’re a harlot. That’s how the world has been for thousands of years. Besides, the person behind this move has a significant background. You should ask your father-in-law-to-be, Liu Zhe; the Liu family still carries quite a bit of weight in Shen'an."

"Understood. Thank you for the reminder, Uncle." After hanging up, Yan Fei pondered for a while, but couldn't come up with any answers. He decided to set it aside for now, booked a private room at a restaurant, and sent the details to Li Feng via WeChat.

As night fell, Yan Fei drove his GT500 to pick up Li Feng. Beneath the Huaxin Securities building, Li Feng sat in the passenger seat after Yan Fei opened the door for him, laughing, "I could have driven myself; why go through the trouble of picking me up?"

Yan Fei smiled, "Uncle, it’s not right for a junior to invite an elder to dinner and let the elder drive himself. People would laugh at me for not knowing how to conduct myself!"

Li Feng laughed heartily. The atmosphere was excellent. As they chatted, the car soon arrived at the restaurant. After parking, they met Director Zhao of Tonghai, and the three of them began to talk and laugh.

Not far away, five or six young men were standing by a sports car, joking around. One man with dyed yellow hair noticed Zhang Zhigao staring gloomily in the distance and followed his gaze. "Brother Gao, is that guy bothering you?"

Zhang Zhigao nodded grimly. The yellow-haired man laughed, "In Shen'an, there's someone like that? Brother Gao, the brothers will go get you some payback right now."

A handsome young man beside him grabbed the yellow-haired man. "Don't be reckless. That guy with the slicked-back hair looks like Director Zhao from Tonghai. If you offend him rashly, even your old man won't be able to handle it."

The group was shocked and stared at Yan Fei with curiosity. At that moment, Zhao Qun parked his car and walked over. Seeing the scene and following their gaze, he saw Yan Fei leading the Tonghai director upstairs, a complex expression appearing on his face.

The handsome youth asked, "Brother Qun, do you know that guy?"

Zhao Qun nodded. "Born from the grassroots, a pride of heaven, a business titan. It's best not to become enemies with such a likely rising star, or it will be very troublesome."

The group was even more shocked. Zhang Zhigao snorted coldly and walked into the restaurant with resentment in his heart. Zhao Qun could only shake his head helplessly.

Inside the private room, Yan Fei took out two pre-decanted blue-and-white porcelain jars containing 1983 Five-Star Moutai. The moment the lids were opened, the rich aroma of the liquor filled the room.

Zhao Tongyun sniffed the air, looking intoxicated. "Good liquor, truly good liquor! I didn't believe Director Li when he said there was fine wine, but this trip was definitely worth it!"

Li Feng nodded at Yan Fei with satisfaction and smiled at Zhao Tongyun, "Director Zhao, let's have a drink. It's just a casual family dinner to build some rapport."

"Hahaha!" Zhao Tongyun laughed, clinked glasses with Li Feng, and Yan Fei quickly stood up to join them. The liquor was smooth and sweet, with a soy-sauce aroma that penetrated to the bone—a truly comfortable sensation.

After the first round, Yan Fei poured more, and the atmosphere grew even warmer. Zhao Tongyun took a liking to Yan Fei’s polished manner and praised him, effectively accepting him as a junior relative.

Two hours later, the dinner ended. Yan Fei and Li Feng watched as Zhao Tongyun’s driver took him away, only then relaxing their expressions.

Yan Fei supported Li Feng and said softly, "Uncle, let me take you home."

Li Feng nodded. As they sat in the car waiting for a designated driver, Li Feng said, "Xiao Fei, Director Zhao is different from me. He is a shareholder of Tonghai Securities with a net worth of billions. The reason he gave us face is that he wants to invite me to join Tonghai. Keep close with Director Zhao in the future; it will be of great benefit to your future."

Listening to his uncle’s teachings, Yan Fei realized how much effort his uncle had put in and was deeply moved. "Don't worry, Uncle. I understand. I won't let you down."

Li Feng smiled with relief. "That 1983 Five-Star Moutai was excellent. Even though it's over a million a bottle, being able to connect with Director Zhao makes it worth every penny."

Yan Fei smiled, "I have two more bottles at home. I’ll bring them to you."

Li Feng waved his hand. "Forget it. My position isn't suited for such expensive liquor. Bring them next time you have the chance. The GEM listing at the end of the month is almost ready; there’s about a hundred million in quota. Get your funds ready."

Yan Fei was pleasantly surprised. "Thank you, Uncle! I’ve already prepared the funds. I’ll have them transferred into my stock account on the 30th."

Time flew by, and three days later, Yan Fei landed at the Shanghai airport. Walking out of the familiar terminal, he saw a graceful, stunningly beautiful woman standing by a Mercedes-Benz. She had a sweet smile on her face as she walked toward him.

Looking at Shen Siqing, Yan Fei didn't know why he had called her, but she had come to pick him up. They exchanged a knowing smile.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Yan Fei said, "Siqing, sorry to bother you. I came to Shanghai this time to visit Zexi and seek advice from Xu Xiang, that legend in the financial world."

Though Shen Siqing felt a hint of disappointment, she smiled happily. "It’s no bother at all! I wish you’d bother me more often! I just don’t know if you want to."

Sensing her flirtatious teasing, Yan Fei found it hard to cope, his face turning slightly red. He smiled, "Siqing, stop joking. I’m no saint like Liu Xiahui."

Shen Siqing leaned over slightly, her presence becoming more intimate. She smiled suggestively, "Then come on. Who knows, maybe I wouldn’t refuse. Want to try? My first time is still waiting, you know!"

Smelling her natural scent and feeling the tension in the air, Yan Fei’s body reacted instinctively. His breathing grew heavy, and his expression became unnatural.

Suddenly, the pure, sweet smile of Liu Suxin appeared in his mind. The fire of desire was doused instantly. He gently pushed Shen Siqing away and said seriously, "Siqing, don’t joke like that. We may be good friends, but there are boundaries between men and women."

Seeing his serious expression, Shen Siqing felt a sense of loss. She turned to drive, and soon they arrived at the Bund Hotel. After checking in, they took a walk along the beach.

Walking along the familiar yet strange beach, they unknowingly arrived at that barbecue stall. Shen Siqing looked at it and said, "Let’s grab a drink. It’s dinner time anyway."

Yan Fei walked into the shop. The plump landlady immediately greeted them with a smile, "Oh, it's Miss Shen, and you! Haven't seen you in a while. Come in, come in! Let me show you what I can do today."

They followed the overly familiar landlady inside. Soon, the food arrived. The landlady sat at their table and looked at Yan Fei. "Young man, don't think I'm being a nag, but Miss Shen is a good girl. I see her eating here alone often. As her boyfriend, you should accompany her more. Don't wait until you lose her to feel regret."

Yan Fei was embarrassed and didn't know how to respond, only nodding obediently. Shen Siqing covered her mouth to hide her giggles. Only after the landlady left did Yan Fei say, "You'll look ugly if you keep laughing."

Shen Siqing laughed even harder. The atmosphere between them became relaxed and flirtatious again as they drank beer and chatted about trivial matters. They talked like soulmates, feeling a level of joy he had never experienced with Liu Suxin.

The next day, after freshening up, Yan Fei took a taxi to the Zexi office building. He presented his appointment and was led by Xu Xiang’s assistant to the general manager's office.

He saw a young man in a white Armani suit sitting in the boss's chair, his eyes fixed intently on the trading screen. Without looking up, he gestured with his hand and said, "Sit down, wait for me a moment."

Yan Fei sat at the tea table, placed the gift box on it, and waited with a smile. A few minutes later, Xu Xiang seemed to have finished his urgent tasks. He stood up, walked over to brew tea, and smiled, "Little brother, you’re the investment genius Director Zhao mentioned, right?"

Hearing the praise, Yan Fei replied respectfully, "Just a bit of talent. I’ve admired you for a long time, Brother Xu. Seeing you today, the rumors don't do you justice. Your focus on investment is something I truly admire."

Flattery is a two-way street, and Xu Xiang enjoyed the admiration. He smiled, "Brother Yan is also an investment prodigy. I heard from Director Zhao that you made over a billion in the financial market in just two months. You truly are a formidable newcomer!"

Yan Fei said humbly, "You’re too kind, Brother Xu. My principal was over a hundred million, so I only made less than a ten-fold return. I can't compare to you—starting with thirty thousand and now having over four or five billion, a return of over a hundred thousand times."

"Self-deprecation isn't good!" Xu Xiang said coolly. "As the capital volume increases, the difficulty of making a profit skyrockets. Forget about doubling in a month; even doubling in a year is a terrifying feat."

Yan Fei nodded in agreement. "It’s indeed hard to operate with large capital. I heard you’ve started playing with quantitative models, so I wanted to come and seek your advice on how to do it."

Xu Xiang didn't hold back. He smiled, "Human energy has its limits, but quantification is boundless. Using quantitative methods to assist decision-making is indeed much faster than humans and can save a great deal of time. If you plan to continue in the financial field, quantitative AI is indispensable. You must start building your own decision-making big model."

The two shared everything without reservation, growing more and more compatible as they talked, like friends across generations. They found they had so much in common, especially in their views on the financial market, feeling as though they had met too late.

By noon, they had chatted for nearly two hours. Their relationship had become close enough that they were calling each other "Brother Xu" and "Ah Fei." Xu Xiang accepted the two large gold bars as a gift and insisted on being the host to welcome Yan Fei.

Yan Fei wanted to continue chatting with Xu Xiang, so he agreed. Xu Xiang took his two trusted lieutenants, and the four of them drove to the Shanghai Hotel, laughing and joking along the way, quickly integrating into the same circle.