Return to the Day When My Pregnant Wife Jumped Off the Building-Chapter 154 Another Bet_1

"In this world, there’s only one kind of person who entertains the idea of sharing weal and woe with the company, and that is the young employee who has been brainwashed by so-called corporate culture."

"And there’s only one kind who can execute a ’see trouble and run’ strategy to perfection — corporate executives."

"Just like in ancient times, when dynasties changed, the quickest to surrender were often the high officials and nobles."

"Having done business in two lifetimes, Xiao Ming naturally could guess at the thoughts of subordinates like Cao Zhining; however, he didn’t care."

"The most urgent task was to stabilize the situation. Once Dabang had caught its breath and freed up its hands, it would not be too late to deal with the double-hearted."

"To resolve the crisis, the first step I propose is to stabilize the plummeting stock price."

Xiao Ming spoke seriously, "There are about forty minutes left until the Hong Kong stock market opens this afternoon. The public relations department needs to immediately contact and invite various financial media to announce that a temporary press conference will be held here in twenty minutes."

"As for the content of the press conference, there are three main points."

"First, Miss Zhou of Canghai Group and Mr. Qiao are not here just for show. Next, I will fully represent Ruiye Holdings to sign a share transfer agreement with Canghai Group, transferring 20% of Dabang’s shares."

"I hope Mr. Xiao does not object."

"Second, announce a new plan for slum rehabilitation."

"First of all, our Dabang will indicate to the city that, based on the situation of the ancient tomb, we will voluntarily donate a museum, and we will maintain full communication with relevant experts on the specific design and planning."

As soon as these words came out, Cao Zhining and the executives were stunned.

The company’s funding chain had already broken; it was already in need of a massive injection of funds. Now it was supposed to voluntarily donate a museum, adding insult to injury?

Moreover, this was still just a pledge. Would the Hong Kong stock market really buy into this?

"Third,"

Xiao Ming didn’t care what these people were thinking and continued, "the previous development plans for the slum area will all be discarded.

Tell the planning and design departments that I want them to design a new upscale community around that museum, one that is rich in historical and cultural atmosphere, elegant in tone, and without the slightest ostentation."

"The most critical point is to emphasize to the journalists that there will absolutely be no resettlement housing included in this planning."

Those present were all experienced professionals in the real estate industry and naturally understood the implications of emphasizing no resettlement housing.

If it were to be an upscale community, then the proprietors would certainly all be from the ’upscale’ demographic, none of whom would fancy having neighbors whose monthly income didn’t even reach a thousand.

This was indeed a gimmick. Coupled with Canghai Group’s investment and the hollow promise, stabilizing the stock price should not be difficult, but to truly gain an increase and recover vitality, money was still needed.

Everyone looked at each other, and finally Cao Zhining spoke up, "What Mr. Xiao has proposed is indeed insightful and thought-provoking.

But if reporters ask about the source of funds for building the museum and developing the slum area, how should we answer?"

Xiao Ming’s lips curled in a smile, "That’s precisely why I came here today.

Everyone knows I also have a piece of land, which will be jointly developed by Maohe, Canghai, and Dabang.

And I, I would like to sign a bet agreement with Miss Zhou and Mr. Cao."

Zhou Qingyuan, who had been listening quietly, was stunned. She thought to herself that this guy hadn’t let slip any inkling of this before, and hoped he wasn’t planning to pull a fast one on her mother.

"What bet agreement?" she asked.

"If within a month, there aren’t banks and investment firms begging to give us money, all development costs of the land will be solely borne by Ruiye and Maohe, and after the profit is made, we will take only 20 percent."

Cao Zhining widened his eyes in surprise, "And if there are?"

"Yes, with a deal like that, there won’t be any more worries about funding. In the end, half of the profits will be mine, and the other half will be split between Canghai and Dabang."

Xiao Ming’s smile became even more radiant. "What do you say, you two, do you dare to bet?"

Zhou Qingyuan remained silent.

Her intuition told her that betting with Xiao Ming would definitely put her at a disadvantage, but for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what the catch might be.

She had also studied the plot of land that Xiao Ming had purchased. Based on a purchase cost of 230.5 million, even assuming a development cost of 100 million at most, it should be able to bring in about five hundred million in the end.

A profit of nearly two hundred million could be considered decent, but that wasn’t enough to change the pessimistic view others had of Dabang. Besides, with three companies collaborating, how could it be possible for banks to be begging to give money?

After much thought, Zhou Qingyuan said, "This decision is too important, I need to discuss it with my father.

Additionally, if we are to sign this agreement, there is one condition that must be included: If those banks and investment institutions are coming because of Canghai’s reputation, it doesn’t count."

Xiao Ming nodded without hesitation, "That’s fine. However, you had better call Sir Zhou immediately. In another ten minutes or so, the press conference is going to start."

Without another word, Zhou Qingyuan took out her cell phone and exited the meeting room.

On the other side, after pondering for a long time, Cao Zhining sighed and said, "I can’t see how this betting agreement benefits Ruiye or Maohe, so theoretically, I should be quite happy.

But as the saying goes, there are no pies falling from the sky; the more delicious it looks, the more likely it is to be a trap.

Mr. Xiao, I am very conflicted!"

"You’re overthinking it," Xiao Ming said. "Now I am also a shareholder of Dabang, and the largest one at that. I want Dabang to thrive more than any of you because only then can I make more money.

So, this betting agreement is just a matter of taking a little advantage and suffering a little loss, nothing more. There’s no need to talk about traps.

Besides, the reason I proposed the bet isn’t to take more than my share but to make you all understand one thing: My judgment will not be wrong.

If I end up winning, I hope everyone remembers this point and does not question my decisions based on their superficial understanding.

Anyone who dares to act against the board’s decisions in secret because of their disbelief or misunderstanding will get off lightly by merely having their contract terminated. I will make them go bankrupt and ensure they can’t even find a decent job!"

By the time he finished speaking, Xiao Ming’s tone had turned very stern, causing the executives’ hearts to skip a beat.

As the new leader sets three tasks, Xiao Ming didn’t intentionally start a blaze but simply subdued them with his authority. Regardless of whether these people were willing to admit it in private, none of them dared to underestimate him anymore.

What a joke, someone who nearly drove Dabang into the ground could easily make them bankrupt.

Soon, Zhou Qingyuan came back and indicated that Zhou Jicang agreed to sign the betting agreement, and Cao Zhining naturally did not object either.

Ten minutes later, the press conference began, and Cao Zhining publicly announced the three things Xiao Ming had talked about.

When he mentioned the betting agreement, the reporters at the scene exploded, clamoring to ask for the details and even demanding interviews with representatives from Ruiye Holdings.

As for Xiao Ming himself, he had already returned to the hospital to accompany his wife.

In the afternoon, the Hong Kong stock market opened, and though Dabang started low, it didn’t fall significantly.

The downward trend stabilized quickly and, right before the close, even climbed slightly, closing at 0.37 Hong Kong dollars. Compared to the morning opening, the drop was 60%, far above Xiao Ming’s purchase price.

This naturally enraged the four shareholders, including Yuan Xiangmei. Bangxi was severely scolded by his mother again and stormed out angrily.

On his way to the nightclub, a call came in from an unknown number. Annoyed, he answered it. Before he could speak, he heard a dark voice from the other end.

"Mr. Cao, I have important news about Xiao Ming and the ancient tomb in the slum area. Would you be interested?"