The news that Sanmu Holdings had been approved for listing on the Hong Kong stock market hit the Jiang University classmates' group chat after two that afternoon.
Li Xiude posted a screenshot of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange announcement page, complete with the stock code.
The group instantly erupted.
"Awesome! Fucking awesome!"
"President Li, you're incredible! You're the boss of a listed company now!"
"The pride of Jiang University!"
"You'll have to book a five-star hotel for our reunions from now on!"
Messages kept pushing one another up the screen. Some people sent red envelopes, others posted memes. It was all adulation.
Li Xiude replied with a voice message, his voice smiling but measured. "Thank you, everyone, and thanks to our alma mater for nurturing me. We're holding a thousand-person celebration in Jiangcheng next month. All Jiang University classmates and teachers are welcome to bring their families. Everyone who comes gets a gift, and there'll be a prize draw at dinner. We have more prizes than we can possibly give away."
The group erupted again.
Wang Xiaoliang glanced at it a few times, then placed his phone facedown on the table.
Huang Xueli looked a little longer. "He actually pulled it off?"
"He wasn't the one who did it." Wang Xiaoliang leaned back in his chair. "At least Li Xiude wasn't in charge. Zhao Shengkai's dad was probably running the operation."
"Yeah, Hong Kong stocks. Plenty of shell companies. This listing doesn't prove much, but it certainly impresses people."
"This gives their money grab the strongest possible stamp of credibility." Wang Xiaoliang looked at Huang Xueli.
Huang Xueli nodded, then shook his head a little later.
The news of the thousand-person event had everyone in the group hooked.
Someone made a point of reminding everyone about the time, location, and