Chapter 110 Julian's Investment Invitation

"I've received them, thank you for the watch and cufflinks. Or were they collar pins? Sorry, I haven't used that thing before, so I'm not quite sure what to call it."

"Hahaha, you can call it whatever you want, it doesn't matter. And by the way, those weren't gifts from me, they were from Rogers. When I was shopping for gifts for you at the mall, I happened to run into him."

Julian's voice remained hearty, but compared to his usual businesslike tone, this conversation had a bit more liveliness. For example, Carter could distinctly hear the sounds of children playing and perhaps someone playing the piano in the background.

Of course, the scene on Carter's end was similar.

In the United States, where there weren't any Chinese New Year celebrations like back home, families often gathered on Christmas Eve for a big dinner. Based on the turkey, sausages, and cabbage in the dinner, Carter, thinking back to his future life in the United States, guessed that the Blake family's ancestors probably migrated from Eastern Europe. Because in Western European households, Christmas dinners usually included turkey with cranberry sauce, while families from Southern European regions like Italy would add a plate of pasta, such as spaghetti or penne.

Different strokes for different folks, just like in China where some regions ate dumplings while others ate tangyuan. After the fixed Christmas dinner, it was time for a party. People would either gather around the fireplace to sing and dance, or they would host a masquerade ball, partying into the night.

"Let's put that aside for now, as long as you like the gifts. What I want to tell you is that I've made a decision. Next year, which is 1980, I'm going solo! Do you remember Mackenzie? He's one of my partners, and he plans to invest five million dollars. After the holidays, I'll consolidate my assets, and I should be able to put in about three to four million."

"Are you interested in joining us?"

"Joining... You mean... investing in your new company?"

Honest to goodness.

After all this time traveling, Carter finally heard someone inviting him to invest. But the news came too suddenly, leaving Carter momentarily incredulous.

"Wait, why did you suddenly make such a big decision? Weren't you still considering it before? What prompted this? "

Giving up a white-collar job at a Wall Street financial firm, especially during tough times, was no small matter. Going solo in business, while good if successful - being your own boss, making money for yourself - could also be risky. If he failed, Kedler wouldn't hold his position for him.

"It's kind of a reaction to something. Carter, have you noticed what's been happening lately?"

There was a moment of silence from Julian on the other end before he resumed his cheerful tone.

"Silver, gold, they're all skyrocketing. The federal fund rate keeps fluctuating, and there's also soybeans, crude oil, and so on that you might not have noticed."

"Oil crises, economic downturns, and the upcoming elections. Faced with all this, do you know what I see?"

What could he see? A downturn in the economy! But isn't a downturn in the economy making entrepreneurship harder?

Carter didn't understand what Julian was trying to convey and remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"I see nothing but turmoil ahead. Turbulent times are dangerous, but they're also full of opportunities. This year, apart from Hunter Brothers International Metals Investment Company causing a stir in the market, everyone else has been busy too. Rogers and Soros, their returns this year should be record-breaking. Behind such high returns, those two couldn't have stayed out of trouble. Plus, I heard they've recently been targeted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. I can't do anything about that, but I want to say..."

"Compared to all the craziness and money-making schemes going on, I feel like I've been too lazy. As we approach the end of the year, oil has risen to $40 a barrel, silver has also broken through $40, and even the gold you invested in."

"When you entered at $534, I thought you were crazy, but your reasoning for making a little money convinced me. And then, before I could figure out why you dared to make that decision, gold's price skyrocketed too, reaching over five hundred dollars! It's unbelievable that it could still surge like that! Now, looking back at the past before Christmas, I find that the one who seems to have gone mad is me."