While the International Finance Center couldn’t compare to Global Harbor in scale and was slightly less famous, it was still a major commercial shopping center. And honestly, its foot traffic wasn’t bad at all.

After all, ordinary people didn’t dare to casually visit a place like Global Harbor. The International Finance Center, in comparison, had a lower average cost per person, so naturally, many people chose this more ’affordable’ option.

Since Ye Ling was driving his Pagani Zonda R today, he enjoyed the perks that came with a luxury car. A security guard had already arranged a parking spot for him before he even reached the underground garage.

"This thing’s a little uncomfortable to drive, but it’s definitely flashy."

Ye Ling parked the car and couldn’t help but mutter.

This kind of supercar was definitely flashy and great for showing off. In comparison, he never received this kind of treatment when he drove his Maybach S600.

Though... to be honest, a Maybach was considered a luxury car too. It cost several million, at the very least!

’Maybe some people have been brainwashed by web novels, thinking a luxury car has to cost over ten million?’

’Pure nonsense.’

’Take the Porsche 911 Turbo S, for example. It only costs two or three million, but it goes from zero to a hundred in 2.7 seconds. Compared to the overhyped Ferrari LaFerrari, that’s only a 0.1-second difference.’

"It’s still early. Let’s just browse for now."

Ye Ling said, looking over at Ning Ruoxi.

"Mhm."

Ning Ruoxi nodded obediently. The moment she got out of the car, she instinctively looped her arm through Ye Ling’s, nestling her head against his shoulder.

The two of them wandered around. The International Finance Center was definitely a bit smaller than Global Harbor, and it didn’t have a huge percentage of luxury labels. It was mostly home to more affordable brands, like Uniqlo.

Ye Ling finally understood why the average spending per person at the International Finance Center was so much lower than at Global Harbor. Not that he cared; they were just browsing, after all.

Since they hadn’t set out with any particular goal in mind, Ye Ling and Ning Ruoxi were truly just window shopping and didn’t buy a thing.

DING—

As Ye Ling was strolling hand-in-hand with Ning Ruoxi, the phone in his pocket suddenly chimed. It was a message from Zhu Yun.

Ye Ling pulled out his phone for a look. It was already three in the afternoon—the time the stock market closed. ’She’s probably reporting the results,’ he thought.

At that thought, Ye Ling unlocked his phone in front of Ning Ruoxi and opened the message.

’Chairman Ye, we made a killing this time!’

’A full twenty percent! A twenty percent profit margin!’ Zhu Yun was incredibly excited.

What did a twenty percent profit margin mean?

This time, Shengding Group had invested a full two billion, which meant they had earned a solid four hundred million!

In just a single day.

Tell me, what kind of business yields such a high return in a single day?

To put that in perspective, a bank deposit with a term of over four years would generally have an interest rate of maybe three percent—and that’s already considered pretty high.

At some banks, it would probably only be in the low twos!

Ye Ling wasn’t surprised by this. ’After all, the system gave me a boost this time. If I’d only managed to fleece a few tens of millions, wouldn’t that be an embarrassment for the system?’

’Not bad,’ Ye Ling calmly messaged back.

’Chairman Ye, the profit is actually a bit lower than anticipated. The main reason is that our volume was a little high this time, and since it was a small-cap stock, dumping it all at once caused the share price to plummet. If we had sold off slowly, we probably could have made five hundred million in profit.’

This was also within Ye Ling’s expectations. Shengding Group had bought up two billion worth of Bauhinia Energy’s stock, an amount large enough to affect its entire market.

He wasn’t bothered by it, though. As long as there was a profit, he was happy.

’It’s best to quit while we’re ahead. Risk and profit are proportional,’ Ye Ling replied.

’Understood! Chairman Ye, your one billion plus the two hundred million in profit will be transferred back to your account within a week. Please come to the company to go over the specific transaction details when you have time.’

’Okay.’

After Ye Ling sent the message, Ning Ruoxi looked over at him and blinked.

"Made more money?"

"Two hundred million."

Ye Ling held up two fingers and said with a grin.

"You’re amazing, sweetheart!"

Ning Ruoxi praised him instantly, a flash of pride in her eyes.

She didn’t really have any feelings about money. As the young miss of Ning International, she had never wanted for money. But when Ye Ling made money, she would be overjoyed.

Because that was her man!

"Let’s go. We’ll have a great dinner to celebrate!"

Ye Ling put his arm around Ning Ruoxi and chuckled. "And just like that, I’m one step closer to the goal set by my future father-in-law."

"Who’s a ’future father-in-law’?"

Ning Ruoxi shot Ye Ling a mock-reproachful glance, but she pressed her head against his chest, her heart fluttering with sweetness.

The fact that Ye Ling took what Ning Tianliang had said to heart was, without a doubt, all because of her!

It was already past three, so there was still a while before dinnertime. That was fine, though; at least they wouldn’t have to wait in line.

Ye Ling chose an izakaya named Imperial Banquet. An izakaya is a concept from East Asia, originally meaning a small tavern where one could stop for a drink.

’So, you could describe it as a type of bar from East Asia?’

’Of course, it’s still a bit different from a bar. In addition to drinks, an izakaya also offers all sorts of food.’

"Let’s go in."

Ye Ling led Ning Ruoxi inside by the hand.

The decor inside was in the style of East Asia, mostly made of wood.

As soon as they stepped inside, a man approached them. "How many, sir?"

"Two."

Ye Ling said.

"Please follow me."

The man led Ye Ling and Ning Ruoxi to a table by the window and gestured for them to sit down.

It was a great spot, honestly. Since they were on the third floor of the International Finance Center, they could see the towering skyscrapers and crisscrossing streets outside the window.

The sky was already growing dim, and Ye Ling could imagine that once it was completely dark, the view of the bustling city would be absolutely spectacular.

"Sir, what can I get you to drink?"

The waiter asked as soon as they sat down.

"Draft beer."

Ye Ling said casually.

An izakaya was a pub, after all. Coming here and not having a drink would be as strange as going to a kebab shop and not eating kebabs, right?

As for not being able to drive after drinking...

That was even less of a problem. Ever heard of designated driver services?

Or they could just grab a cab home and come back for the car another day. Besides, parking at the International Finance Center wasn’t expensive, and it was easily accessible by public transport.

"What do you feel like eating?"

Ye Ling casually handed the menu to Ning Ruoxi and asked.

"Hmm..."

Ning Ruoxi glanced at the menu, then said, "Let’s get the salmon sashimi."

’Starting with sashimi... a classic move!’