Chapter 42

(Second update of the day! Bowing to thank "bige2012" for the monthly vote and support! Thank you "Xiao Shao" for your support! There will be more updates in the afternoon and evening. If you like this book, please take a moment to add it to your favorites and recommend it. Thank you all, from Xiaofangpian!)

After finalizing the acquisition, the dinner between Zhou Ming and Wan He quickly turned into a formality and soon ended.

Back in the room, Lin Muqing helped Zhou Ming prepare a sobering tea, while Wang Yunlong first escorted Wan He away. Upon returning to Zhou Ming's room, he congratulated Zhou Ming with enthusiasm, "Congratulations, Mr. Zhou! You truly opened my eyes. I never thought you could actually acquire Wan He Fund for five million. You are truly a business genius!"

Wang Yunlong wasn't flattering Zhou Ming; he was genuinely impressed. Initially, they had estimated the value of Wan He Fund to be around five million, but the estimated value and the actual negotiated value were two different things. After all, businessmen seek profit, and even if the company's situation was poor, Wan He would always try to inflate the acquisition price during negotiations. Yet, Zhou Ming managed to secure it for five million, which couldn't help but astonish Wang Yunlong. In his eyes, this was nothing short of a miraculous feat!

Zhou Ming smiled, "It's not that exaggerated. I was just haggling with him."

Lin Muqing, gently massaging Zhou Ming's temples, asked curiously, "Haggling? Did you deliberately propose a one million acquisition price as part of your strategy?"

Zhou Ming nodded, and Lin Muqing continued, "Why did you propose that price? You must have known that Wan He wouldn't accept it, right?"

"Of course, I knew he wouldn't accept it. That's precisely why I proposed it."

Zhou Ming's words left Lin Muqing and Wang Yunlong puzzled. They couldn't understand what he meant by this convoluted logic. Zhou Ming didn't keep them in suspense and explained, "Think about it. For Wan He, wouldn't he be dissatisfied no matter what price I proposed?"

Lin Muqing and Wang Yunlong nodded in agreement, and Zhou Ming continued, "Since he would be dissatisfied no matter what price I offered, what's the difference between offering one million and ten million? I might as well start with the lowest price and let him gradually raise it. Isn't that how it works in the market? You start with a low price to lower the seller's expectations, and the final price will be more balanced."

"Mr. Zhou, how can business negotiations be like buying vegetables in the market?" Wang Yunlong asked.

"Why not?" Zhou Ming countered, "It's just a matter of the price being higher and the items being different, but the essence is the same."

Wang Yunlong was speechless at Zhou Ming's response, but Lin Muqing giggled, "So, Zhou Ming, you saw yourself as a haggling auntie, Wan He as a vendor, and the Wan He Fund as a cabbage to be bargained down?"

Zhou Ming nodded matter-of-factly, and Lin Muqing said, "If Mr. Wan heard you say this, he might faint."

Zhou Ming shrugged, "What can I do? Who made him so greedy? If he had initially quoted six or seven million, I might have been impressed by his honesty and agreed right away, even if it meant taking a small loss."

Lin Muqing was somewhat amused and exasperated, "Is there such a thing as an honest businessman? You want to offer a low price to bring it down, and he wants to offer a high price to bring it up."

"Exactly, that's what they call 'Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai—both willing participants,'" Zhou Ming said.

"Right, right, you're the smart one!" Lin Muqing said.

Zhou Ming then remembered Wang Yunlong was still there and asked, "How's the plan you were working on coming along?"

"The preliminary plan is done, but the specific ratios and formulas still need to be calculated repeatedly," Wang Yunlong replied.

Zhou Ming instructed Wang Yunlong, "This plan is very important. You must complete it as soon as possible and ensure it maximizes benefits. Remember that?"

"Please rest assured, Mr. Zhou. This is a groundbreaking initiative, and I will work hard to complete the task you've given me!" Wang Yunlong promised.

...

The signing ceremony for Zhou Ming's acquisition of Wan He Fund Company was held at the Victoria Hotel. According to local customs, the ceremony was attended by lawyers from a law firm and media from Hong Kong to serve as witnesses.

After signing the contract, Wan He invited Zhou Ming, Lin Muqing, and Wang Yunlong to dinner at the hotel. At the table, Wan He sighed and said to Zhou Ming, "Wan He Fund is something I built from scratch, and it has always performed well. If it weren't for the global stock market crash, I wouldn't have sold it. I can see that you are a man of vision and capability. I hope Wan He Fund will flourish under your leadership."

Zhou Ming smiled, "Mr. Wan, please rest assured. I will help you achieve your unfulfilled wishes. However, since I have acquired Wan He Fund in full, I will be changing its name."

"Jinming Fund, right? I have no objections. I wish the fund company will live up to its name and bring in wealth like gold!" Wan He said.

"Thank you, Mr. Wan." Zhou Ming raised his glass to Wan He.

...

After dinner, Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing returned to their room. Zhou Ming was very excited and said to Lin Muqing, "Great! I finally have my own fund company!"

Seeing Zhou Ming's happiness, Lin Muqing was also very pleased for him. Reflecting on the nearly two months since they came to Hong Kong, they had first made ten thousand Hong Kong dollars from gambling on jade, then made two thousand Hong Kong dollars in the stock market, and now, with the global stock market crash, they had made over twenty million in the stock index futures market, and he had spent five million to buy this fully equipped fund company...

All of this made Lin Muqing feel like she was in a dream, so unbelievable.

Seeing Lin Muqing's somewhat dazed expression, Zhou Ming asked, "Sister Muqing, what's wrong? Are you unhappy that I finally have my own company and won't have to speculate for a living anymore?"

Lin Muqing shook her head, "Of course not. I'm very happy for you, Zhou Ming, that you have the ability to make a lot of money. It's just that these happy events have come so suddenly, making the past two months feel like a dream, so unreal."

Zhou Ming held Lin Muqing's hand and said firmly, "Sister Muqing, I told you, you're not dreaming. Even if you are, when you wake up and find me, I will work hard to make your dream a reality!"

Lin Muqing stared at Zhou Ming, feeling her heart race at the sight of his determined face. She instinctively avoided his gaze and, after calming down, said, "Actually, I shouldn't be afraid to tell you, Zhou Ming, but I was really nervous at the signing ceremony. With all those reporters, cameras, and flashlights, I was afraid I would embarrass you."

"Embarrass me?" Zhou Ming said, "My Sister Muqing, you are so beautiful and graceful, and you handle everything with such poise. How could you embarrass me? I think everyone there today loves you as much as I do."

"You're just being silly!" Lin Muqing said, blushing.

"I'm not being silly. Look at the other women there today. Besides the hotel staff, there were also the high-level secretaries Wan He brought. None of them can compare to even a fraction of you!" Zhou Ming said.

"Then, who do you think is prettier, me or Zhao Lin?" Lin Muqing suddenly asked.

Zhou Ming was taken aback by Lin Muqing's question. He thought, "Women's minds are truly incomprehensible. I was just complimenting her, but she jumps to Zhao Lin and wants to compare. Is she still jealous from that day?"

Not knowing what Lin Muqing was thinking, Zhou Ming could only answer, "Of course, Sister Muqing, you are prettier!"

Lin Muqing rolled her eyes, "I can tell you're just saying that to make me feel better."

Zhou Ming wanted to explain, but Lin Muqing continued, "But Zhou Ming, do you really think it's a good idea to acquire the fund company now? I've been watching TV and reading the newspapers. The experts all say that this global financial crisis is so severe that the world will likely enter a prolonged economic recession. Wan He's fund company fell from tens of millions to five million. Won't we lose money instead of making it?"

"Lose money? Sister Muqing, do you have so little faith in me? I'll tell you, even if the economic situation is as bad as it is now, or even if there's another Black Monday, I can still make money for you!" Zhou Ming said.

"Of course, I believe in you, Zhou Ming," Lin Muqing said, then changed the subject, "But you said you won't be involved in the fund company's daily operations. If you just leave the fund to people like Wang Yunlong, I'm afraid they might lose money. After all, it's not their money, and their market judgment isn't as good as yours."

Zhou Ming reassured Lin Muqing, "Sister Muqing, you should trust them. I don't know about others, but you've seen our Manager Wang's abilities. He records the stock market's movements every day and can analyze future trends based on the slightest changes. His skills are very impressive. Didn't he help us make several thousand Hong Kong dollars before?"

Lin Muqing was still worried, "That's true, but..."

Before Lin Muqing could finish, Zhou Ming continued, "Sister Muqing, this stock market crash was something no one in the world could have predicted. Even now, no one knows how it happened. It's like that Black Monday, where the stock market collapsed for no apparent reason. It's impossible to predict, and I just happened to make the right bet."

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and added, "Besides, didn't I ask Wang Yunlong to prepare a detailed plan? Even if the people Wan He left me are useless, with this plan, I still have a way to make the company profitable, and make a lot of money!"