Chapter 199: Zhang Jun's Appeal for Help Rejected

In a private room of a high-end coffee shop in Xingcheng, Zhang Jun warmly embraced Luo Zhikai.

"Old Luo, can you help me find out who reported me?" Zhang Jun had invited Luo Zhikai here precisely to find the mastermind who framed him. This time the Zhang Group suffered heavy losses, and Zhang Peng was also arrested. If this grudge isn't avenged, he can't even sleep well.

"Manager Zhang, this is internal bank privacy; how could a newly hired junior staff like me possibly know?" Luo Zhikai could not possibly betray Chen Yang right now, so he made an excuse to brush it off.

Nowadays it's nothing like before! Once a poor kid Chen Yang, now he is the boss of Xingcheng's renowned enterprise, the Old Hundreds Agricultural Products Trading Company.

In Xingcheng, wherever you walk, every sightline is filled with the Old Hundreds Agricultural Products Trading Company's ubiquitous advertisements.

By contrast, the Zhang Group's reputation in Xingcheng's business circles has plummeted to abysmal levels. Not only does it face severe fund flow problems, but due to various improper conduct it has also made numerous enemies, including many high-ranking government officials.

Their bank chose this time to settle with the Zhang Group mainly because they have no interest in taking over the inflated bad debt from the International New City project. After all, the newly emerged 'land king' of Dongjiangsheng carries a premium of up to two hundred million. If an audit were launched, everyone involved in this loan would have to take responsibility, and he, the one who introduced the loan project, would also be implicated, with no chance of redemption thereafter.

"Old Luo, we're old classmates; I even helped you land that huge deal, yet you won't even do this small favor?" Zhang Jun felt a bit displeased; Luo Zhikai's attitude toward him used to be nothing like this strictly businesslike manner.

"Manager Zhang, just don't bring this up. Whenever our bank president mentions your company's loan, he gives me a sour face." Luo Zhikai seethed at the thought. He had thought a promotion and raise were merely a matter of time, never expecting the Zhang Group's successive troubles to drag him down as well.

"Old Luo, what are you afraid of? Our company has plenty of fixed assets in Qingshui City; why would we be unable to repay your bank's loan?" Zhang Jun was very displeased with Luo Zhikai's attitude. When he had money, he would lavish flattery; now that the company merely encountered a slight problem, this guy turned on him. He's nothing but a fair-weather friend.

"Manager Zhang, I truly know nothing. Still, I'll give you a suggestion..." Luo Zhikai reminded Zhang Jun: "Get out of the stock market quickly. It's deep waters there. Even with my professional expertise I dare only dabble a little. When you were in school, you fished three days and dried nets two— you'd find it even harder."

"Who says stock trading is hard?" Zhang Jun protested indignantly to Luo Zhikai: "I had already made several million. If it weren't for your bank freezing my account without distinction, missing the best selling opportunity, Xingcheng Heavy Industry's stock wouldn't have plummeted so badly. To put it bluntly, my current losses are also your responsibility!"

Luo Zhikai never expected that at this point Zhang Jun would still try to fool him like a fool. He said sternly: "Manager Zhang, we followed proper procedure. You just transferred money out of our bank, and your stock account immediately gained over forty million. Who wouldn't worry about that?"

"What's there to worry about?" Zhang Jun scoffed nonchalantly, retorting: "Did I directly take your bank's money to invest in the stock market?"

Seeing Zhang Jun still stubborn, Luo Zhikai gave a cold chuckle inside. Then he said: "Manager Zhang, the bank systems are interconnected; we both know how you operated. Saying more is pointless. I'm merely reminding you, as an old classmate, of the risks in the stock market. If you don't accept it, just pretend I never said anything."

Zhang Jun never expected Luo Zhikai to have known the truth all along; a barely concealed embarrassed smile flashed across his face.

He paused briefly, organized his thoughts in his mind, then slowly explained: "Old Luo, well… I just feel a bit indignant. We both came from the same class! Chen Yang usually doesn't even study properly, spending all his time on part-time work, yet he can easily make two hundred million in the stock market! Why can't we?"

"No way, you're saying Chen Yang made two hundred million from stock trading?" Luo Zhikai stared at Zhang Jun in disbelief, somewhat unable to believe it. After all, Chen Yang never mentioned this when they chatted.

"I heard it from others too," Zhang Jun said, a bit displeased. "He's just lucky. If I had opened a stock account earlier, I'd surely have earned more than him."

Luo Zhikai remained silent for a while. He now somewhat regretted refusing Chen Yang's loan application for Zhang Jun's sake. Making two hundred million in just a couple of months! Even if their bank president knew the loan was for stock trading, he'd probably turn a blind eye.

Seeing Luo Zhikai silent, Zhang Jun added: "Old Luo, can your investment banking department help boost my stock price? Once I'm safely out, I'll give you a five-point commission."

Luo Zhikai looked at Zhang Jun with the eyes of one looking at a fool. He thought this guy really isn't suited for stock trading. Xingcheng Heavy Industry's stock has plummeted these past two days, obviously due to large capital deliberately suppressing the price to scoop up shares. They've already gathered enough chips; if our investment banking department steps in now, we'd just be lambs to the slaughter.

Moreover, given the grudge between Chen Yang and Zhang Jun, now that he knows the latter's hand, how could he pass up the chance for revenge? It's quite possible that Xingcheng Heavy Industry's stock plunge these past two days is a big net Chen Yang set for Zhang Jun.

Under these circumstances, he wants nothing to do with it.

"Manager Zhang, our investment banking department has already evaluated and does not expect Xingcheng Heavy Industry to rebound in the short term. If you don't want to cut your losses and exit, just keep holding on."

Seeing Luo Zhikai reject his request without hesitation, Zhang Jun's face darkened. He said: "Old Luo, stop beating around the bush— it's just that you think the money's too little. I can give you ten points."

Luo Zhikai still shook his head. "Manager Zhang, I'm just a lowly bank clerk; I can't decide on leadership decisions."

Zhang Jun still wouldn't give up, telling Luo Zhikai: "Then have your manager come over; I'll talk to him directly."

"Sorry, our manager is on a business trip to Modu and won't be back until next week." Luo Zhikai didn't want to invite trouble for themselves. Their manager currently despises Zhang Jun the most; how could he help boost his stock price?

Zhang Jun's face turned ashen. Seeing Luo Zhikai resolutely refuse to help, he lost interest in further talk. "Old Luo, since you stand by and do nothing, I can only seek another expert. I hope you won't regret today's choice."

Having said that, he walked away without looking back, not even settling the bill!