Chapter 37

"Mr. Zhou, after the stock market crash over the past few days, apart from a few funds supported by large conglomerates, most of the medium and small-sized funds in Hong Kong have encountered significant financial issues. I have conducted a comprehensive investigation of these fund companies as per your instructions. Several of them fully meet your requirements, and I believe their fund management and operational models are very scientific. Should I start contacting these fund companies now?"

In the luxurious sea-view room of the Victoria Hotel, Zhou Ming listened to Wang Yunlong's report on the phone, looking annoyed. He said, "No need. The Hong Kong stock market index hasn't hit rock bottom yet. We don't need to rush."

"But Mr. Zhou, as far as I know, these fund companies are frequently in contact with major banks. If they obtain loans from the banks, it will be very difficult for us to acquire them later," Wang Yunlong said. "So, I think we should start making some preliminary contacts with them to gauge their attitudes and gain the upper hand."

"I said no!" Zhou Ming said. "Think about it. The economic situation in Hong Kong is so bad that the major conglomerates can barely manage their own funds. How could they have the energy and resources to care about the survival of these unrelated fund companies?"

Wang Yunlong cautiously said, "But their contacts with the banks..."

Zhou Ming rudely interrupted Wang Yunlong, "They are doing that deliberately to show their investors and maintain their fund companies' credibility!"

"Mr. Zhou, you seem to be in a bad mood?" Wang Yunlong asked.

"No," Zhou Ming said. "Manager Wang, what you need to do now is to keep a close eye on these fund companies and gather as much information as possible. When the time comes, I will let you handle the acquisitions. I have other matters to attend to, so let's end the call here."

Zhou Ming hung up the phone and looked at Lin Muqing, who was smirking at him, which made him even more frustrated.

Zhou Ming couldn't help but be annoyed. Just a moment ago, Lin Muqing had become affectionate with him, and when his hand touched her chest, she suddenly came to her senses. However, Zhou Ming could feel that her resistance wasn't strong. Even if he didn't understand women well, he knew this was just a woman's shy reluctance. If he pushed a little harder, things could have been accomplished.

But at that moment, Lin Muqing's pager suddenly rang, and she decisively pushed Zhou Ming away.

The pager was obviously from Wang Yunlong. Zhou Ming, who had been interrupted, couldn't be in a good mood. Even if Wang Yunlong hadn't called, Lin Muqing might not have let him go through with it, but being interrupted was still annoying.

"You little rascal, you really are a wolf in sheep's clothing. I didn't expect you to be so lustful and take advantage of me," Lin Muqing giggled at Zhou Ming, her expression showing no dissatisfaction but rather happiness.

"There's no help for it. Who could resist when Sister Muqing is so beautiful? Even a sage like Liu Xiaohui couldn't control himself!" Zhou Ming said.

Lin Muqing spat at Zhou Ming, "Don't shift the blame to me. I think it's your constant improper thoughts that lead to such behavior."

Zhou Ming thought to himself, with such a beautiful woman in front of him, dressed so provocatively, it would be a defect in either his body or mind if he could remain pure.

Seeing Zhou Ming's helpless expression, Lin Muqing walked over, squatted in front of him, and looked up, saying, "You are a man destined to be a business tycoon. Your willpower must be the strongest. You know what you should and shouldn't do, and when to do it. If I delay you, I will feel guilty for the rest of my life. You don't want me to feel guilty for the rest of my life, do you?"

Zhou Ming knew Lin Muqing was comforting and encouraging him. Mature women were different from young girls; they knew how to capture a man's heart.

Zhou Ming looked down at Lin Muqing, thought for a moment, and suddenly said, "Sister Muqing, you're showing some skin."

Lin Muqing gasped and quickly covered her chest. But when she checked, she found that her buttons were still fastened. Realizing Zhou Ming was teasing her, she glared at him, "Little rascal, you're not serious!"

...

On the fourth day after the stock market crash, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange announced a market suspension to clear the large number of incomplete transactions during the crash.

Upon hearing the news of the suspension, Wang Yunlong immediately contacted Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming met Wang Yunlong with Lin Muqing at the third-floor restaurant of the Victoria Hotel. As soon as they met, Wang Yunlong, without even sitting down, excitedly said, "The market is suspended! I didn't expect the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to really announce a suspension!"

Zhou Ming gestured for Wang Yunlong to sit down. After sitting and taking a sip of water, Wang Yunlong still couldn't contain his excitement. He said admiringly, "Mr. Zhou, you are truly a genius! The Hong Kong Stock Exchange indeed couldn't withstand the financial pressure and announced a suspension. The chairman of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Zhang Zhaofu, is a fool. Doesn't he know that this will not only fail to maintain financial stability but also intensify market panic? The global market is experiencing a crash, but why are we the only ones suspending the market? Is he out of his mind?"

Zhou Ming smiled and said, "Actually, I don't think this is necessarily bad. The Hong Kong economy is already riddled with problems. This is an opportunity to burst the economic bubble and return the Hong Kong economy to its true state. It's better to break and rebuild than to maintain a false prosperity."

Zhou Ming didn't know the true intentions behind the market suspension, but it was undeniable that this stock market crash directly led to the establishment of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and gradually put the Hong Kong financial market on a more stable path.

Lin Muqing then said, "Regardless of why the Hong Kong Stock Exchange announced the suspension, it's not a bad thing for us."

"Not only is it not bad, but it's a great thing," Zhou Ming said. "As Manager Wang said, the suspension will intensify market panic. Once the market resumes, the accumulated panic will burst out, and I think it could easily fall by a thousand points in a day."

"A thousand points? That... can't be!" Wang Yunlong was shocked.

Zhou Ming didn't explain much to Wang Yunlong. After all, the Hong Kong stock market had fallen by less than 500 points in total over the past few days. Even if his prediction was pessimistic, he couldn't imagine the market falling by more than twice that amount on the first day of reopening. That would be too extreme.

...

"The stock market crash in Hong Kong is just a chain reaction to the global financial crisis. The suspension is to facilitate the clearing of incomplete transactions and is not a sign of collapse. Please don't speculate. After emergency consultations between the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong government, and major banks, the government will use the foreign exchange fund, and the banks will contribute a total of over 2 billion Hong Kong dollars to stabilize the market. Please have confidence in the Hong Kong market..."

This was the statement made by the chairman of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Zhang Zhaofu, at a press conference, which was being broadcast on the TV in the private room of the Victoria Hotel. Zhou Ming, Lin Muqing, Wang Yunlong, and Sun Wei were having dinner there, watching the broadcast.

Hearing that the government and banks would contribute 2 billion Hong Kong dollars to stabilize the market, Sun Wei couldn't help but worry, "Mr. Zhou, will this be a problem?"

Zhou Ming shook his head confidently, "The economic bubble in Hong Kong is huge. Two billion is not enough to fill the gap. If my estimate is correct, the market will fall by at least a thousand points tomorrow. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange will need to invest 4 billion to barely cover the gap."

A thousand points, and a 4 billion gap?

These two figures left Sun Wei completely stunned. Since the Hong Kong stock market index was established, he had never heard of such a large drop, even during the crisis twenty years ago.

"How is that possible?" Sun Wei muttered.

Zhou Ming looked at him meaningfully and asked, "Do you not believe me?"

Sun Wei hurriedly shook his head, "Of course not. I absolutely believe in Mr. Zhou's judgment. I just hope the market will fall even more than you expect, so you can make more money!"

After saying this, Sun Wei thought for a moment and cautiously asked Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, I heard from Wang Yunlong that you are having him gather information on fund companies affected by the stock market crash and planning to acquire them. Are you setting up a fund? Can I join your fund company and serve you?"

Zhou Ming bluntly refused, "No, my fund company must ensure profitability, and your personality is not suitable."

This answer made Sun Wei anxious. He said to Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, I was wrong. I shouldn't have argued with you. I really underestimated you, but I genuinely want to serve you. Please give me a chance to work for you. I will work hard to analyze market data and ensure the profitability of your fund. I beg you!"

Zhou Ming glanced at Wang Yunlong, who said, "Mr. Zhou, I think it's best to have more of your own people in the newly acquired fund company."

Wang Yunlong thought for a moment and added, "Sun Wei graduated from the economics department of the University of Hong Kong and has worked for several years at a large futures company like Fenghui. He is definitely ahead in market analysis."

Zhou Ming nodded and said, "Alright, I will allow Sun Wei to join, but I must make it clear that due to his past, he can only do market data analysis and cannot participate in any operational processes."

Sun Wei was overjoyed at Zhou Ming's approval. He immediately said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhou, for your trust. Once you acquire the fund company, I will work hard for you!"