Siheyuan: My wife is Xu Huizhen

Chapter 686

She spoke at a steady pace, and each word was pronounced clearly and accurately. It was obvious that she had been explaining this process over and over again and had already memorized it.

Clearly, the receptionist's patient explanation to He Yuzhu stemmed from her keen professional intuition. She immediately noticed He Yuzhu's exceptional attire. His custom-made suit, crafted from the finest fabric and soft and smooth to the touch, featured meticulous, meticulous seams, all the work of a top-tier tailor, a testament to his exceptional craftsmanship. His matching leather shoes were equally polished, their surface as smooth as a mirror, seemingly reflecting his reflection. He Yuzhu exuded an inner confidence, a confidence not simply born of thin air but rooted in a deep, inherent strength. This aura made it clear he was no ordinary man, a potential high-end client with a generous budget. The receptionist knew that in this fiercely competitive service industry, every high-quality client was a valuable resource, and she didn't want to miss a single opportunity to serve him due to a moment's negligence.

He Yuzhu frowned slightly, with a hint of doubt in his eyes. He subconsciously leaned forward and asked seriously, "Then, if I don't apply for membership, I really can't buy and sell stocks?" He is still in the stage of groping for understanding these complicated rules. It feels like he is in an unfamiliar maze. He takes every step carefully, trying to figure out the ins and outs.

"Of course, sir." The receptionist had a formal smile on her lips, her tone was filled with unquestionable certainty, and she spoke in a clear voice, "This stock exchange has always followed strict membership rules. Only by becoming our distinguished member will you be eligible to trade stocks here. This rule has been in effect for many years. It is the cornerstone for maintaining trading order and protecting the rights and interests of members. There is absolutely no possibility of compromise." She nodded slightly, her eyes revealing professional arrogance, as if she was reading out a sacred and inviolable law.

Despite these regulations being clearly outlined in the slightly worn "Xiangjiang Club Trading Guide" in his hand, He Yuzhu couldn't help but frown, feeling frustrated. He couldn't help but mutter, "No wonder Xiangjiang Club seems increasingly out of touch in today's financial markets, its business so dismal." Take buying stocks, for example: the procedures are incredibly complex. First, one must register as a member, which isn't unusual at all, but the subsequent requirements are truly daunting. Not only does one have to pay a hefty fee to register, but they also need to find an existing member to act as an introducer to complete the membership process. Only by navigating these numerous hurdles can one enter the seemingly glamorous, but in reality, high-entry Xiangjiang Club and engage in stock trading.

He Yuzhu estimated that this complex, almost intractable, set of procedures had already deterred countless potential investors. They might have originally held high hopes for the Xiangjiang Club's stock market and had ample funds, but upon encountering these cumbersome procedures, they immediately turned their attention to other markets with simpler procedures and transparent regulations, bringing them a steady stream of vitality and capital. Meanwhile, the Xiangjiang Club was left standing, helplessly watching opportunities slip away and its market share gradually eroded.

He Yuzhu had come here on a whim, wanting to check out the situation. Before arriving, he'd already decided that if he couldn't apply for membership directly, he'd try working with a brokerage firm. After all, in Hong Kong, even if one registered as a member, buying and selling stocks still required the help of a brokerage firm. Thinking about this, He Yuzhu realized there was no point in being unreasonable. The rules of the Hong Kong Club had always been like this, and the girl at the front desk was simply following the rules, not overstepping them. His unreasonable behavior was uncultured and wouldn't solve the problem at all; it was simply a waste of both parties' time.

In that case, He Yuzhu sighed inwardly. There was nothing more to say. He turned around helplessly, ready to leave this troubled place as soon as possible. At this moment, he was only thinking about quickly getting rid of this sudden awkward situation and ending this boring little episode.

Just as he turned around, a crisp "ding" sounded from the elevator, and the doors slowly opened as if by invisible hands. Then, a group of people filed out of the narrow elevator car. There were about four or five of them, men and women, all stylishly dressed. The men wore sharp suits made of fine fabric, each cut to a perfect fit, accented by exquisite ties whose clips gleamed in the light. The women wore slim-fitting suits that perfectly framed their figures, and their high heels clicked rhythmically as they walked. They all looked very young, their faces brimming with youthful energy and unwavering confidence. This confidence wasn't simply acquired, but rather the product of years of experience and hard work in the financial world. It was immediately clear that they were seasoned professionals in the financial world.

He Yuzhu originally didn't take these people seriously. He just wanted to take advantage of the fact that they hadn't noticed him yet and quickly walk past them so that he could completely leave this place that made him feel uneasy and end this little farce that made him a little annoyed.

Just as He Yuzhu was about to continue walking, a clear female voice suddenly broke the silence. "Mr. He, I didn't expect to see you here!" The call was like a flash of lightning across the quiet night sky, instantly capturing He Yuzhu's attention. He paused abruptly, his gaze turning to the source of the voice with a hint of surprise. He saw a woman in a slim-fitting business suit, looking at him with a look of surprise.

He Yuzhu frowned slightly, carefully examining the figure before him. A moment later, his memory suddenly rekindled—wasn't this Li Yunzhen? After not seeing her for months, her makeup remained exquisite, every detail showcasing her meticulous attention to detail. Her well-tailored business suit perfectly framed her figure, capturing both her feminine charm and the sharpness and efficiency characteristic of a finance professional. Her every move exuded professionalism.

"Oh, isn't this Miss Li!" He Yuzhu was slightly stunned at first, then his face was full of smiles, with surprise shining in his eyes, "What a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet you here, I'm so happy!" As he spoke, he stepped forward enthusiastically, and the embarrassment on his face disappeared in an instant, replaced by a sincere and natural smile like the warm sun, as if Miss Li in front of him was his best friend whom he had not seen for many years and missed day and night.

After the two exchanged greetings, the others, as if drawn by invisible threads, hurried off in unison, their steps unwavering and rapid. Their figures swiftly blended into the crowd, vanishing in a flash. This unusual behavior stirred a wave of suspicion in He Yuzhu: Looking at this situation, were they not part of the same group? It didn't make sense, but if not, why were they all there together? Just as he pondered this, his brows furrowed in a frown, Li Yunzhen stepped forward, a perfectly composed smile playing on her lips. She softly asked, "Mr. He, excuse me, are you a member of the exchange? I've been here for a long time, but I don't think I've ever seen you before." She tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with innocent curiosity, her voice soft as a spring breeze, carrying a subtle intimacy, as if it were just a casual chat between neighbors, trying to draw closer.

He Yuzhuo smiled bitterly, and explained with a bit of helplessness: "I'm not a member yet. When I first came here, I asked the front desk carefully, and learned that registration for membership is very troublesome, and I must have an introduction from an old member." As he spoke, he spread his hands, and the expression on his face and his body movements seemed to be telling an absurd and bizarre story. He looked as if he was making fun of himself that fate always likes to play some funny jokes on people, and his movements also carried some of the humor unique to old Beijingers.

Li Yunzhen suddenly understood, then raised her brows, nodded, and explained, "Oh, so that's how it is. In the financial sector, the operating mechanisms of exchanges are quite complex. Typically, few people go directly to an exchange to register as members. Most people use brokerage firms to handle the registration process. This is because the stock trading process is complex, from market analysis and order placement to trade execution and settlement and delivery. Every step requires professional knowledge and precise control. Brokerage firms, as professional financial intermediaries, draw on their extensive experience and dedicated teams to provide investors with one-stop service. Investors simply submit the relevant information to the brokerage firm, which will complete the membership registration process on their behalf in accordance with exchange regulations. Furthermore, subsequent stock trading, fund management, and other operations can also be conveniently handled at the brokerage firm. It's like being a student in school, having a teacher systematically teach you knowledge—it's far more efficient than blindly exploring on your own." She spoke slowly and logically, like a seasoned lecturer, explaining complex financial knowledge to students in a simple and accessible manner.

She took a sip of coffee, her eyes wandering over the curl of hot steam rising from the coffee cup. She paused for a moment, as if thinking about how to express it more vividly. Then, she sat up straight, crossed her hands on the table, and continued in a leisurely tone, "Furthermore, anyone who's been in this industry for a long time knows that, in order to retain clients and secure their business, brokerage firms often proactively select one of their members to act as a guarantor for new clients. Sounds reliable, right? But in reality, this rule is more of a 'paper trick'. Think about it: once you step through the door of a brokerage firm and entrust them with buying stocks, from the moment the funds flow in, how could they not take you seriously in order to earn fees and maintain their business? They'll naturally and swiftly help you complete the membership registration. In practice, this so-called guarantee rule doesn't really play a significant role; it's more of a formality." As she spoke, she shook her head slightly, her tone tinged with sarcasm, as if she was complaining about this somewhat unnecessary rule, her eyes filled with insight and helplessness at the industry's frivolous practices.

He Yuzhu slapped his forehead, suddenly awakening from a dream. He'd only heard about the conveniences of registration, and had rushed here in a hurry, without even bothering to delve into the specific registration rules. Now thinking back, he'd been reckless, like a young man rushing into a competition without even understanding the rules. He'd rushed into the exchange, confident that registration would be smooth sailing. Now, standing here, he realized how hastily he'd prepared, completely clueless about even the most basic procedures. He blamed himself for being so rash and not doing his homework.

"So that's how it is!" He Yuzhu slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing. His furrowed brow relaxed instantly, and the long-held doubts in his heart vanished like thin ice under the warm spring sun. At that moment, it was as if a gentle breeze had blown away the fog before his eyes, revealing the sun, and he suddenly understood the key. His eyes also changed, the confusion and bewilderment completely fading, replaced by a sense of relief, as if a heavy stone had been lifted off his shoulders.

Seeing this, Li Yunzhen gently turned her swan-like neck, the corners of her mouth raised slightly, revealing a subtle smile that was just right. This smile was like the warm spring sun, with a touch of gentleness and a hint of elusive mystery. She opened her red lips and explained in a voice like a clear mountain spring, crisp yet gentle, "Mr. He, you may not know that our family owns many businesses, including a financial investment company called Victoria International Investment. It is quite well-known in the industry, and many business leaders are keen to participate in its investment projects. Mr. He, I see that you are interested in this. Do you want to buy stocks and test your skills in the financial market?" After saying this, her eyes revealed a subtle expectation. Her smart eyes were like twinkling stars in the night sky, staring at He Yuzhu without blinking, as if eagerly awaiting his response.

A hint of excitement flashed in He Yuzhu's eyes. He nodded without hesitation, his tone full of enthusiasm as he replied:

"Yes, I'm quite interested in stock investing. Lately, I've been spending every day in my study, my desk piled high with financial newspapers and market analysis reports, and my eyes are practically callused. I study candlestick charts, analyze industry trends, and become obsessed with those fluctuating numbers. The market seems to be volatile lately, but it also hides opportunities. I'm itching to test the waters."

As he spoke, he rubbed his hands unconsciously, as if he was ready to join the game of capital and show his skills in the invisible financial battlefield.

Li Yunzhen's eyes lit up, the corners of her mouth turned up, revealing an enthusiastic smile, and she said in a light tone: