-- Days earlier --
Ou Yunchen: "Datong must not appear to be just an ordinary failing enterprise. Textiles are its main business, but by no means its most profitable part."
Jin Datong: "Mr. Ou, I don't understand. Datong is a traditional industry. If it doesn't make a living from textile production, would Xu Shuming believe anything else?"
Colin: "He would. If Xu Shuming were as old-fashioned a businessman as you, he wouldn't have let my Scion Asset Management Company take over his shares."
Ou Yunchen: "Exactly. Xu Shuming's ambition goes beyond merely taking orders."
"The growth of the Su family cannot be separated from his foresight. Therefore, he wants to hold more assets in his hands. Relying solely on the Su family's foundation is not enough. And don't forget one thing..."
Ou Yunchen paused, wanting everyone to pay attention to the utmost importance of what he was about to say.
Ou Yunchen: "He guards against Mrs. Su, not to prevent her from reclaiming the Su family business, but because he wants to completely sever any connection between the Su family business and the Su surname."
Jin Datong: "How is that possible? The shares of the Su family business actually originated from Old Mr. Su's distribution. Even if Mrs. Su doesn't have actual power, her share dividends are not insignificant."
Ou Yunchen: "Those with power can place assets wherever they wish."
Jin Datong: "Asset transfer!!!"
Ou Yunchen: "Yes. So you need to guide him, tell him how to make money quickly. Only the money earned can go entirely into his pocket."
-- End of flashback --
Xu Shuming was shocked by Jin Datong's audacious move. He had never imagined that such blatant financial fraud was happening right beside him.
Yet, he couldn't help but be impressed by the wonders of the capital market, and he even felt a flicker of desire!
After all, who wouldn't bow for a meager income? Moreover, a stock market that appeared to be poorly managed and shrinking was actually a ploy to cash out and run!
Xu Shuming: "I only knew before that a false piece of news could send the Su family's stock soaring, just like my frequent appearances with Mrs. Su would bring about positive sentiment."
Colin dismissed that as beginner-level capital market manipulation, the simplest of the simple. Stabilizing stock prices was merely the first step for a listed company.
Xu Shuming: "As you all know, after securing the ten-billion-dollar project, the Su family business can be said to have reached its peak. I must admit that before that, the Su family was already struggling in the mire of declining performance."
Colin: "That's why I sponsored you to win the ten-billion-dollar project, and you subsequently became a top blue-chip stock."
"Nevertheless, I believe that if this spiraling stock price cannot be converted into hard cash, it's like a bubble, utterly useless."
Xu Shuming didn't appreciate the importance of making money quietly. He wanted the whole world to know that the Su family business existed because of him, Xu Shuming!
He craved attention even more than the Su family business. Thus, it wasn't just a group that ascended to godhood; he, Xu Shuming, was also destined to make a high-profile debut!
Colin had long seen Xu Shuming's inflated ambition as the perfect target. He and Ou Yunchen were of the same mind, but Colin wanted money, while Ou Yunchen wanted his life!
Xu Shuming: "But I'm still very worried. After all, there are insiders who might meddle. If they find anything, won't the Su family business be in trouble?"
Jin Datong: "You've hit the nail on the head. Have you heard of 'financial black PR'?"
Xu Shuming: "No."
Jin Datong: "It means you pay and remain undisturbed. If you don't pay, they expose your scandals. Therefore, no one will discover the trickery, even with a financial report full of loopholes."
Colin: "I particularly enjoy collaborating with the manufacturing industry because your financial reports are the easiest to tamper with. As long as raw material prices are constantly driven up and costs increase, your profits will be squeezed to the point where they can even become negative."
Xu Shuming: "I think I understand. If we report losses, the stock price will fall. Does this mean that if I can sell at the peak of profitability, I can cash out my shares?"
Jin Datong quickly nodded. Xu Shuming finally understood!
Xu Shuming: "But I can't sustain losses year after year, or it will trigger delisting conditions."
Jin Datong: "You only need to show a profit of one dollar in the following year, and that's enough!"
Xu Shuming burst into laughter. The stock market he couldn't figure out for so many years was so thoroughly understood by Jin Datong. No wonder Datong's delisting didn't affect his profitability at all!
Jin Datong: "Of course, there is one thing I must kindly remind you of."
Xu Shuming: "What?"
Jin Datong: "If you play it well, you'll be able to command the winds and waves. If you play it badly, you'll face fines."
Xu Shuming: "How much are the fines?"
Jin Datong: "Not much. Datong, which became a penny stock, only paid a fine of 600,000 yuan."
Xu Shuming: "Is there anything else?"
Jin Datong: "Permanent disqualification from the market and referral to judicial authorities."
Xu Shuming stared intently at Jin Datong. He still thought this was an opportunity!
After all, Jin Datong was acting like a hidden tycoon. He couldn't compete in the market because AtL provided him with a protective umbrella!
For the first time, Xu Shuming felt a hint of respect for this former rival he had looked down upon. In this regard, Jin Datong had even become Xu Shuming's mentor!
Jin Datong: "The most dangerous place is the safest place. If the Su family business is to do anything, it must be ruthless. As long as you tamper with monetary funds, no one will dare to suspect. Once you can cash out and get the money, everyone becomes a villain!"
Xu Shuming: "Everyone is a villain, hahaha, good, I like it!"
Colin: "Welcome to the Roshamon of Capital."
Xu Shuming had fallen into the vortex of capital. He was blinded by the illusion of cashing out that Jin Datong had created, utterly incapable of considering whether he would become a pawn of capital. He believed that one day he could finally become one of them.
After leaving Xu Shuming's office, Jin Datong made an excuse about matters at the factory and left first.
Upon reaching the lobby, Jin Datong couldn't wait to call Ou Yunchen to report the good news.
-- Jin Datong on the phone --
Jin Datong: "Mr. Ou, you are truly a genius! Xu Shuming actually agreed!"
Ou Yunchen: "Someone like him will always be interested in unearned money."
Jin Datong: "However, I just learned that the Su family business's net profit has surged 35 times after the last ten-billion-dollar project, exceeding 4.2 billion yuan. To maintain its image, they decided to distribute dividends annually, with cumulative dividends alone exceeding 1 billion yuan."
Ou Yunchen: "We still need to help him tell a better story. Only with an ultra-high valuation and stellar performance can Xu Shuming be elevated to godhood."
Jin Datong: "But I feel that acquiring Datong can only slightly improve the Su family business's corporate image and cannot help it reach new heights."
Ou Yunchen: "You are correct. We need to give the Su family business a new project, prompting him to raise funds and invest part of the money in the new project."
Jin Datong: "Mr. Ou, you're not referring to... using our subsidiary's fully automated manufacturing, are you?"
Ou Yunchen: "Yes, this will be the hand that pulls him into an abyss!"
Jin Datong: "So, Mr. Ou, what should be our first step?"
Ou Yunchen: "Give him a brand new story to begin with."
-- Call ends --
Jin Datong was overly excited and didn't notice Xu Shuming watching him from a distance.
He could trust Colin, but not an enterprise from AtL.
And Jin Datong's behavior while on the phone further aroused Xu Shuming's suspicion. Was Jin Datong colluding with someone?
Just as Xu Shuming was about to step forward to investigate, Colin placed a hand on his shoulder.
Xu Shuming: "Mr. Colin? You haven't left yet?"
Colin: "I left, and I came back."
Xu Shuming: "Did you forget something?"
Colin: "Mr. Xu, you must know this city better than I do. Every time I come here, it's a rush. I'd like to..."
Xu Shuming: "Mr. Colin, I am such an incompetent friend. I didn't take Mr. Colin sightseeing properly."
Colin: "I meant..."
Xu Shuming: "Mr. Colin?"
Colin: "Are there any women?"
Xu Shuming paused for a moment, then immediately understood.
Xu Shuming: "I will arrange it for Mr. Colin immediately."
Colin: "I want someone clean and beautiful, preferably a star."
Xu Shuming: "No problem."
Colin pointed at Xu Shuming, realizing that men understood men best!
Just as Xu Shuming thought Colin wanted to let off some steam and was anxiously making arrangements, Colin watched Jin Datong leave the Su family business while on the phone, finally feeling at ease.
Xu Shuming: "Mr. Colin, we've made arrangements. Shall we go now or..."
Colin: "So soon? Alright, let's go now."
Xu Shuming: "Yes, yes, yes. Mr. Colin, please rest assured, as long as you come, I will definitely arrange it for you every time."
Colin: "What kind of girls?"
Xu Shuming: "I have a friend who owns an entertainment company. Do you know Yan Shizong?"
Colin: "No."
Xu Shuming: "He's the boss of our largest entertainment company. His company has many stars. If you like any star, just name your price, and they can be arranged for a meeting."
Colin: "Anything is fine?"
Xu Shuming: "Some can, some... you understand."
Colin: "I don't."
Xu Shuming: "That is to say, new and aspiring stars, or those with some reputation, can be arranged if the price is high enough. Some are too big stars, they no longer make money this way, so..."
Colin: "In that case, I am quite fond of a certain star."
Xu Shuming: "Which one is it? I'll see if I can arrange for us to have dinner together?"
Colin: "That would be great. I'll trouble Mr. Xu then."