Chapter Fourteen: Zhang Yang Takes the Lead in Cheating?

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Yanjing, Huaguo.
Central Finance University.
Central Finance is a national "Double First Class" initiative university, part of the 211 Project, renowned as the cradle of financial and management experts in Huaguo.
In the second round of academic evaluations starting in 2006, its programs in economics, investment studies, and finance were all rated A+.
What does a program rating mean?
It is a national standardized assessment based on the university’s academic discipline scores, with A+ signifying a flagship program.
For example, East China University of Political Science and Law is neither a 985 nor a 211 university, but as a member of the “Five Institutes and Four Departments,” its law program is highly respected, easily surpassing many comprehensive 985 and 211 institutions.
Central Finance University is similar; every year, its investment program graduates are fiercely sought after by top securities firms.
Most of the so-called “national team” investors come from Central Finance.
At this moment, Shi Xinrong, a professor of investment studies at Central Finance, frowned deeply and murmured, “It’s really strange that students from Hudu Finance are running away with the simulated trading competition.”
Although they do not compete with Hudu Finance students for internship positions at Huaxin Securities, the annual “Huaxin Simulated Trading Competition” is a benchmarking exam open to all finance universities, crucial for ranking these institutions.
Shi Xinrong had considered top schools like Qingbei, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, and the C9 League universities, but never expected the B+ rated Hudu Finance to outperform them all.
Historically, Hudu Finance’s investment program has been mediocre, rated only B+ in the initial academic assessment.
“Strange!”
“Really strange!”
Shi Xinrong was at a loss.
They had the best students, the strongest faculty, and the most abundant educational resources—there was no reason they should lose to Hudu Finance.
Just as Shi Xinrong was puzzled, Peng Ge, the dean of the School of Finance at Central Finance University and an academician at Huake Institute, walked into the office holding a black thermos.
“What’s on your mind, Xinrong?”
Peng Ge greeted him warmly before filling a cup at the water dispenser.
“Dean.”
Snapping back to reality, Shi Xinrong stood up quickly and explained his concerns.
“The finance group chat has been buzzing. It says that this year’s Hudu Finance investment graduates achieved a 42.4% return in just 20 trading days during the Huaxin Simulated Trading Competition, far exceeding other finance schools. Nearly 30 of their students surpassed a 25% return.”
“That’s absurd?”
Peng Ge’s eyes flickered with surprise.
He turned off the water dispenser and sat down casually. “What was our top return?”
“Our top return was 36.17% by Yu Tianyou, which is 6% lower than theirs,” Shi Xinrong replied quickly.
“Six percent behind?”
Peng Ge frowned instinctively.
Central Finance’s investment program earned an A+ rating thanks not only to excellent students and faculty but also because he, as a finance academician, was at the helm.
Hudu Finance?
To be honest, aside from accounting, their other disciplines didn’t even catch Peng Ge’s attention.
“Although we’re behind, Yu Tianyou’s 36.17% return already beat the previous best. With 13 trading days left, he’ll definitely break the 50% mark.”
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Shi Xinrong defended.
Yu Tianyou was his prized protégé, the city’s top scorer in the college entrance exam, gifted and capable beyond doubt.
“Tell the students to work harder; we can’t let them surpass us.”
Peng Ge’s words carried an unspoken message.
For someone of his stature, strength needed no further proof, but what he feared most was being embarrassed by his disciples.
There’s a saying in the medical field: a top academician had retired from surgery, but when a disciple called with an emergency case he couldn’t handle, the master came out of retirement to perform the operation.
The disciple could afford to lose face, but the master could not!
“I’ll tell them to step it up.”
Shi Xinrong nodded slightly.
He would not allow Central Finance to be overtaken; the school’s honor must be defended.
…
Meanwhile, at Hudu Finance University.
Wang Xingbang, Chen Jiafa, Chang Botao, and other core investment faculty agreed unanimously to go out for drinks tonight to celebrate.
Just as they booked a private room at a hotel, Tao Yuang’s inquiry call came through on Wang Xingbang’s Nokia phone.
“Why is Yuang calling me all of a sudden?”
Wang Xingbang asked.
“Professor Wang,” Tao Yuang hesitated but spoke up due to self-interest, “I’m wondering if there might be some sharing of answers among our juniors in this year’s simulated trading results?”
He was subtle but clear.
Although he promised the top ten in the Huaxin Simulated Trading Competition internships at Huaxin Securities, he was taking a risk. If all ten were mediocre, he might lose his position too.
“Are you implying we cheated just because Hudu Finance did better?” Wang Xingbang was clearly displeased, his tone tinged with anger.
“No, no,” Tao Yuang hurried to deny, “You know, the recommender and the recommended are linked. I just want to be cautious to avoid gossip.”
“Alright, alright, I get it. I’ll investigate these days and get back to you.” Wang Xingbang hung up, his expression darkening.
“What’s wrong?”
Chang Botao sensed something and asked quickly.
“Nothing much, just that Tao Yuang suspects our group cheated and that the simulated trading results might be inflated.” Wang Xingbang laid out the situation, his tone increasingly hostile.
He was famously protective of his students and couldn’t bear anyone looking down on them.
After he spoke, he looked at Chang Botao, Chen Jiafa, and the other core faculty. “Do you know anything about this?”
“Hmm…”
Chang Botao thought for a moment. “Actually, there’s been an interesting development recently.”
“What is it?”
Wang Xingbang and Chen Jiafa spoke in unison.
The other investment professors perked up, waiting eagerly.
“You know Zhang Yang, right?”
“Yes, the top student.”
Before Chang Botao finished, a professor answered eagerly.
He nodded and continued, “From what I understand, he hasn’t been trading himself lately because he’s been preparing market research reports for other students to trade with.”
“Ah?”
“What?”
The professors were shocked.
Wang Xingbang’s heart skipped a beat, his eyes suddenly clear with understanding.
“No wonder this year’s simulated trading scores broke records—someone’s providing market intelligence!”
“Does that count as cheating?”
“I don’t think so. Buying market analysis reports is a common supplementary investment method, isn’t it?”
“But others don’t see it that way. Other schools’ faculty and students feel we’re unfairly using the top student to share answers and boost our school’s ranking.”
“Whatever, let them say what they want!”
Inside the investment office, opinions diverged.
Some felt using reports was improper; others thought it acceptable.
Wang Xingbang leaned toward disallowing market reports since it hindered students’ ability to gather information independently.
“He isn’t providing them for free, either. I heard it’s 30 yuan per report; I guess he’s made a few thousand already,” Chang Botao added.
“Making money from this?”
“How is that even possible?”
“What exactly is Zhang Yang trying to do?”
The professors were once again stunned, murmuring among themselves.
“Maybe I should talk to him and tell him to stop this nonsense.” Wang Xingbang lowered his voice and glanced at the others, as if seeking their opinion.
In the next moment,
The professors voiced their stances.
“I think he should tone it down. After all, it’s a competition, and profiting from selling reports undermines fairness.”
“There’s no fairness in financial markets. I think not only should we not stop him, but also support him more!”
“Well said, I agree!”
“You have to consider the impact. If other schools find out, we’ll be mocked. This Huaxin Simulated Trading Competition is like the industry’s minor exam, involving thousands of students.”
Despite disagreements, Wang Xingbang hesitated but ultimately resolved to find time to talk to Zhang Yang.
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