On the way to work, missing out on a billion

In the rush hour subway, people are packed tight, sweat mixed with perfume, and the air is so polluted it’s hard to breathe.

Old Chen leans against the door, one hand gripping the handrail, the other scrolling through his phone. The screen shows Bitcoin’s price at $74,108. He stares at that number, his mind completely blank.

At this time yesterday, it was still $71,000.

Three days ago, he sold half his position at $69,500. His reason was “taking profits and securing gains,” and he even posted a bragging update on social media about his swing trading. Now, under that post, someone commented, “Bro, missed the boat, huh?” He pretends not to see it, but his heart is bleeding.

The subway station announcement sounds, and a new wave of passengers boards. Old Chen is squeezed against the door, almost dropping his phone. He clutches it tightly, as if holding onto his last hope — though he knows that hope was already sold three days ago by his own hand.

Someone in the carriage is watching short videos, with funny voiceovers; others are binge-watching dramas, with the male and female leads embracing in the rain; some are playing games, fingers flying across the screen. Only Old Chen is watching the candlestick charts. He feels like an outsider, living in his own world, out of sync with everyone around him.

$74,108. This number is like a thorn, stabbing into his heart.

He remembers a saying he heard when he first entered the market: “The biggest risk in a bull market isn’t losing money, but missing out.” Back then, he didn’t believe it, thinking as long as he didn’t lose money, he was winning. Now he believes it — the pain of missing out is worse than losing money. Losing money is a choice he made himself, but missing out feels like watching opportunity slip through his fingers, unable to grasp it even if he tries.

The subway arrives at his station. Old Chen is pushed out of the train by the crowd, stepping onto the platform. Sunlight streams in from the exit, making him squint. He takes a deep breath; the smell of oil from breakfast stalls, the scent of perfume from hurried pedestrians, and the lively atmosphere of the city fill the air.

He pockets his phone and decides not to look at the market today.

Missed opportunities are missed. Life must go on, work must continue, mortgage payments must be made. Whether it’s $74,000 or $80,000, the rise and fall are the market’s, but the days are his own. $BTC

As he leaves the subway station, he buys a jianbing guozi (Chinese savory pancake) with two eggs. #加密市場上漲