In 1992,
TVB released the TV series
The Greed of Man, based on the central theme of the
stock market and explored the schemes and plots used by people to make their fortune in the market. Cheng played Ting Hai (丁蟹) in the series, who made an immense fortune by
short selling derivatives and stocks during a
bear market. Many people went
bankrupt while Ting Hai's family became richer until they were defeated by their nemesis. Cheng became popularly associated with the
Ting Hai effect, named after his character in the series. The effect involves a peculiar and unexplained phenomenon, in which global stock markets will fall whenever a new Hong Kong TV drama series, starring Cheng, is aired. == Personal life ==