Why did Du Jun leave the safety of Beijing and head for Hong Kong to collect a picture and an air purifier, knowing the local regulator was after him?
That's the question many have asked since the conviction of the former Morgan Stanley Asia banker for insider trading.
Some say it was foolishness or recklessness. I saw a calculating mind that has been twisted by a privileged upbringing, an ineffective compliance system and the perceived impotence of regulators against international players in town.
In short, Du saw no big deal in trading on privileged information. He expected no grave consequences.
Born to a well-placed mainland family where guanxi matters, Du knows about the trading of privileges.
Naturally, he made his career as a 'relationship facilitator' at Morgan Stanley in its China business. His job was not about following written rules, but rubbing shoulders and exchanging favours with the powerful to get what he wanted.