Chapter 1012: Wishing to Remain Drunk, Not Wishing to Wake

A-Bao was indeed in high spirits. Wang Yan's accounting efficiency was very high; the very next day, he went to the Peace Hotel and signed the contract with Uncle, and then the two of them went to the bank to handle the procedures.

Including the remaining money, A-Bao now held over 200 million in funds. Perhaps the "advantage is with me" that Qiang Mujie had sworn by before had now turned into a situation where "the roles of attacker and defender have reversed."

Qiang Mujie's maneuvers could only be described as somewhat novel, but in the end, he was still just playing the price difference. A-Bao hadn't thought of it before, not because he didn't know how to play. Now that Qiang Mujie had set the example, he naturally followed suit.

Therefore, on the afternoon he received Wang Yan's financial support, A-Bao began to absorb some of the stocks Qiang Mujie was dumping, competing with Qiang Mujie for the position of market maker and seizing the power to set prices.

Qiang Mujie naturally discovered the sudden movements on A-Bao's side and realized that A-Bao had sought Wang Yan's help and injected funds. This was exactly what he wanted, and he immediately launched a new round of confrontation with A-Bao.

The heart-stopping thrills belonged to A-Bao, Qiang Mujie, and the others; the life-and-death struggles belonged to the retail investors. To Wang Yan, however, it had no impact; he was merely a spectator.

With a sense of mission, A-Bao was left dizzy by Wang Yan's capital, feeling very much like he was giving his all until his heart stopped. Every day, he was in a high-intensity brainstorming session, swearing to destroy Qiang Mujie and the Heavenly Qilin Society.

However, Qiang Mujie and the Heavenly Qilin Society were both very difficult to deal with. They were very cautious, and their capital volume was in the hundreds of millions. It was just that now, A-Bao, having gained assistance, had the upper hand.

The reason he told Wang Yan one hundred million was that it was the minimum capital requirement he had calculated with great certainty. Although Qiang Mujie had the backing of the Southern Investment Corporation and was a high-level vice president, he had full authority in Shanghai. But when it came to the mobilization of hundreds of millions in funds, he still had to explain the situation. No matter how much more capital there was, he wouldn't be able to mobilize it.

The current situation was that A-Bao had the upper hand, pressing Qiang Mujie and the Heavenly Qilin Society together to beat them. As for the stock price fluctuations during their confrontation, which attracted a large number of retail investor cannon fodder who thought they were destined for greatness and sure to make money, they were just dust; no one cared. To pull chestnuts from the fire, one must always pay a price.

It was only because Master Wang was kind-hearted that he instructed A-Bao to hold back when he provided the money. Otherwise, after this matter passed, there would have been at least eighty or a hundred players hospitalized from the shock, and at least eight or ten who jumped off buildings...

The days of stock prices rising and falling continued until February. This day was the twenty-eighth of the twelfth lunar month, the second to last day of 1993; this year only had twenty-nine days, no thirtieth.

The bustle on Huanghe Road remained unchanged, but in reality, there were changes. Because with development, more and more people were becoming rich first, and the wealth accumulation of those who had become rich began to snowball, and they gradually began to pay attention to food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

Over the past year, more than one high-end restaurant had opened, all with high reputations, good service, and dishes that were naturally top-notch, but none were on Huanghe Road. This naturally led to a dispersion of the customer base.

It was just that the current impact was somewhat present, but not yet huge. Moreover, the current rich, because the time they had been rich was short, although their thinking had already changed, in the end, they hadn't truly separated from the masses. Therefore, Huanghe Road was still bustling and still prosperous.

"Brother Wang hasn't been to Huanghe Road for a long time."

After taking the cigarette handed over by Jingxiu, Wang Yan lit it himself and nodded with a smile: "It has been a while."

"Is it because Li Li isn't here anymore?" Jingxiu laughed. "It feels like over the past year, the changes on Huanghe Road have been too great. The Zhi Zhen Yuan was glorious for a year, and now it's closed. The Jin Meilin, which had been open for more than four years, also left in disgrace. Miss Wang rarely comes to Huanghe Road now either. People I'm familiar with don't come anymore; it feels like Huanghe Road isn't interesting at all."

"Are you afraid of it not being interesting? Isn't it the same amount of money earned whether they come or not? Is it that there's no excitement to watch? Before, it was just Lu Meilin who could stir up trouble, and Li Li's place wasn't quiet either. Now it's much quieter."

"Looking at it this way, Lu Meilin leaving in disgrace can be considered the last bit of excitement left for Huanghe Road."

Wang Yan smiled: "Although our discussion is a bit unkind, I think there's nothing wrong with it."

"Brother Wang, how are things with the apparel company? I heard before that Boss Bao took a group of people to Red Heron. You came because of this, right? I heard you provided Boss Bao with two hundred million in funds? You're really rich..." Jingxiu clicked his tongue in wonder.

"It's basically over. Today can be considered a celebration party."

"Was that pretentious Qiang Mujie defeated by Boss Bao?"

"More than that, he might even go to prison, or maybe jump off a building, who knows." Wang Yan chuckled.

"That ruthless?"

"It's not like I told him to jump; he just couldn't hold on. It's just like those people who lose their family fortunes, have their families destroyed, and have no hope left. They find a high place, jump down, and end it all. Of course, he might not jump; it's just a possibility. I'm off."

Wang Yan extinguished his cigarette, waved his hand at Jingxiu, and strolled toward Red Heron.

"Hello, Wang Laoban. Boss Bao is already in the private room." Lucy smiled and came up to greet Wang Yan.

Wang Yan nodded with a smile and then said: "The hotel has already opened, and Xiao Jiangxi is doing quite well. She said she wanted to find you all to help; I have no objections. If you've had enough of working here, you can go help Xiao Jiangxi. It seems Seeing Minmin has already gone, right?"

"Yes, Wang Laoban, she told us all. After the Zhi Zhen Yuan closed, Seeing Minmin went to the Xinghua Hotel. I also submitted my resignation. It's not easy to find someone to take over at the end of the year, so I have to wait until after the New Year. By then, I'll also go to the Xinghua Hotel. From now on, I'll be eating under Wang Laoban; please take care of me."

"You are all capable people, eating by your own skills; what care do you need? Work hard, and I'll give you stock options later."

"That also requires Wang Laoban to be willing to give us the opportunity. We will definitely work hard."

Just like their conversation, the hotel had already opened, and business was quite good. After all, the old building had style, the location was good, the renovation had genuinely cost a fortune, and all kinds of supplies were top-tier domestic products, with a whole bunch of intangible cultural heritage skills. Added to that was a high level of service, so having good business was a matter of course.

It was just that good business didn't mean making a fortune. Even if the Xinghua Hotel was a top-priced hotel, relative to the renovation costs, labor costs, maintenance costs, etc., that had been invested, it would take several years to earn it back. If you count the devaluation from rapid economic development, in terms of actual purchasing power, it would take another two years.

And this was without mentioning the old Western-style building bought to open the hotel. Although the old building was appreciating, in the case of not selling, the initial purchase cost was also real...

Chatting and laughing with Lucy all the way, under Lucy's guidance, Wang Yan arrived at the private room where A-Bao was.

As soon as the door opened, the bustle rushed toward them. People were laughing loudly, drinking tea, eating fruit, and smoking cigarettes; it was visibly enjoyable.

"Oh, Wang Laoban is here. Sit, sit." A-Bao laughed and stood up to greet Wang Yan to sit down, then instructed Lucy to bring wine and dishes. He pointed to the people around the table: "Commander Cai, Little Ningbo, Stamp Li, and Fatty Auntie... you know them all."

"Are you trying to say there's no need for introductions? Isn't that just reciting them again?" Wang Yan waved his hand with a smile. "They are all our own people; there's no need to be polite."

Commander Cai laughed: "Today we returned in great victory. Wang Laoban, we must drink a few more cups of old wine; we won't return until we're drunk."

"That's right, if it weren't for Wang Laoban's support, everyone at this table would have jumped off a building." Stamp Li chuckled, his joy overflowing.

"Tell me about the situation." Wang Yan turned his head to look at A-Bao.

"That was spectacular." A-Bao clapped his hands and smilingly recounted the heart-stopping stock market battle.

Still the same saying, no matter how passionate the stock market confrontation was, what was being done was still price difference. It was nothing more than different operational methods during specific execution, and the impact was also different.

A-Bao absorbed Qiang Mujie's techniques and also absorbed the lessons from the failure of the first confrontation. Having received a capital supplement and grinding for half a month, he brought down the arrogant Qiang Mujie.

Of course, it sounds simple to say, but it's difficult to do, and it was also influenced by many factors. Retail investors, the apparel company side, the senior leadership of the Southern Investment Corporation, relevant leaders, stock market leaders, and so on. In reality, the ink required to describe these people is also quite substantial...

In short, regardless of the difficulties and obstacles in the process, the result was the successful defeat of Qiang Mujie and the Heavenly Qilin Society, which was composed of a group of old immortals.

The gains couldn't be calculated, but without a doubt, all the money lost before had been earned back, and it was the kind where even doubling it wouldn't be enough. Although the Southern Investment Corporation couldn't be said to have suffered a heavy blow, the loss of at least two hundred million was enough to make their livers ache.

Relatively speaking, the funds Qiang Mujie mobilized this time were much more than in the original drama. But it was a protracted war, their costs were high, and Wang Yan only spent 180 million in total to settle it. Of course, counting A-Bao's funds, there were 300 million. What Qiang Mujie used would only be more, absolutely not less.

As for the Heavenly Qilin Society, although the name sounded a bit like a gang, it sounded better if you called it a "social organization." They were essentially private equity funds; in fact, the so-called fleet A-Bao had before was the same. This time, A-Bao swung his sickle, and their losses were at least one hundred million. The old guys' vaults were harvested, and the clients who provided them with funds suffered huge losses, which also ruined their reputation.

And their own capital, in this confrontation with the apparel company, also suffered heavy losses. Basically, they went from having tens of millions in net worth to having millions. For these old immortals, it was barely enough for retirement. Of course, they could also pool funds again and continue to make money. It's just that now it's no longer the world for people like them, but the world for brokerage institutions. Their capital volume is insufficient, so naturally, they are no longer qualified to sit at the table and harvest leeks.

A-Bao was talking there, and others were sitting and supplementing with high spirits; it was very lively.

After listening once, Wang Yan nodded with a smile: "So, you mean there is now 120 million in cash, and if the stocks are slowly cashed out, there is still 160 million? You earned 100 million?"

"Yes, the stock price of the apparel company is now completely under our control. Whatever price we want it to be, that's what it is. If we go slower and extend this time by another half a year, we can get another 30 or 40 million. I'm not talking about harvesting retail investors' money, but the appreciation from the apparel company's favorable development. I have confidence in taking the apparel company to a higher level."

A-Bao now had a feeling of pointing out the country and thinking that there was no one else but him; he was very imposing and had the confidence of success. He was now truly famous in one battle and well-known nationwide.

Wang Yan nodded: "Do you need money?"

"If you ask, I definitely need it, but this is endless; after all, money is always lacking." Speaking of this, A-Bao's momentum dropped by half.

"Then you use it first. Aren't you going to be a brokerage firm? Let's consider this 260 million as me buying wealth management from you. You can sign a contract later, and just pay me back whenever you have extra."

"Oh, Wang Laoban is truly righteous. At that time, we were all finished, and you provided capital support without a word, saving us from fire and water. Now, not taking back so much money and leaving it for us to use, you are truly righteous."

Stamp Li slapped the table and stood up. While speaking, he poured himself Maotai, raised it, and said, "Wang Laoban, I toast you."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

Commander Cai and the others also shouted and poured wine, all drinking it in one gulp.

Wang Yan naturally didn't lack wine. Since he had come here to sit, he naturally wouldn't put on airs, and he drank a cup with everyone, which could be considered a celebration wine...

After sending off Commander Cai and the others, A-Bao swayed and divided a cigarette for Wang Yan, helped him light it, and then smoked one himself: "Thanks, Wang Laoban."

"We've known each other for so many years; if I have the spare capacity, I'll help. After the New Year, I'll have someone find Uncle to sign the contract."

A-Bao was stunned for a moment, took a long drag of his cigarette, and then exhaled a long puff. Under the dim yellow light and the condensation of the cold air, the smoke became much thicker, and his face also became much more melancholy.

After a moment of silence, he sighed: "It's been a year."

Wang Yan understood his silence; it was nothing more than some people and some things coming to mind again. He chuckled and played along: "It's another year."

"Are Miss Wang and Seeing Lingzi doing well?"

"Miss Wang is doing a high-end clothing brand, so she's spending this New Year in Paris. Seeing Lingzi is doing quite well; a few days ago, she just opened a branch. She's also doing high-end dining, got an old Western-style building, only takes reservations, no walk-ins. Linghong is working as a manager there, and it's also quite good.

As for Teacher Ge, he's still the same, eating at Night Tokyo every day, occasionally helping out. When he has nothing to do, he wanders around outside; he's very comfortable. Tao Tao Tao Tao has been very attentive recently; Fang Mei is about to give birth, so he stays at home with his wife every day and doesn't come out to play anymore. Come to think of it, I haven't seen him for a while."

"Tao Tao Tao Tao is indeed rare, but he told me before, it was when your daughter was born and you came back, and you were eating with them at Night Tokyo, and you criticized Tao Tao Tao Tao, right? He actually listened, and he's being a good husband at home. But he also complained to me, saying Fang Mei is bad at this, that doesn't work, and he wants to talk about how Fang Mei's family is, he has a lot of complaints."

"But at least he has the look of a father now, which is pretty good. As for Tao Tao Tao Tao and Fang Mei, I've known them best for so many years; if they don't quarrel every day, they can't live their lives."

A-Bao took another drag of his cigarette, leaned back against the wall, one leg standing on the ground, one leg bent, with the sole of his shoe against the wall.

He asked: "How is Miss Wang's brand doing? You can come to the apparel company to sell it later."

"I'm not too sure, it seems like she's losing money at the moment..."

Wang Yan thought for a moment, "About five million. It's mainly in the early factory investment and personnel costs. Now the clothes are made, but they haven't been mass-produced. She has to participate in some activities abroad before returning to China for promotion. After the New Year, she will hold a fashion show, the kind where models walk the runway. I don't know the specifics; you can talk to her later."

"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've seen her."

A-Bao nodded, was silent for a moment, and then sighed again, "This year passed really fast, like a dream."

"Do you want to wake up?"

After a long time, A-Bao laughed: "I can't wake up either."

"Then congratulations to Boss Bao for reaching a higher level."

"Wang Laoban is teasing me."

"I'm just a coincidence; if it happens again, who knows."

"That's strength." A-Bao turned to ask, "Is it still at Night Tokyo tomorrow?"

Wang Yan nodded with a smile: "It's already the fourth year."

"What about Li Li?"

"She has parents; she went back to her hometown. As for Hong Kong, I've gotten used to it over the years."

"Come to think of it, Li Li helped this time. Qiang Mujie drained my funds, and also drained his funds. He's not a winner, and he's probably going to prison. I feel quite happy; he never looked down on us."

Wang Yan smiled and stepped on his cigarette butt: "I'm off."

Looking at Wang Yan's back, A-Bao shouted lazily: "Wang Laoban, wishing you an early Happy New Year, see you again."

"See you again."

Wang Yan didn't look back, just waved his hand...

Sharing the same feelings as A-Bao were Teacher Ge and the others. This seemed to be something one must have once one reaches a certain age.

"It's another year." Teacher Ge picked vegetables with a lack of enthusiasm.

"Isn't it, adding another handful of dirt to you old guy." Linghong's tongue was as poisonous as ever.

"Oh, adding dirt during the New Year? That's unlucky." Seeing Lingzi waved her hand in disgust.

Tao Tao Tao Tao glanced at her and said: "Exactly, with that mouth of yours, I don't know how you became a manager."

"You care about me?" Linghong said unhappily, "Didn't you turn over a new leaf and become a new person? Why did you run here again?"

"Oh, it's too noisy at home, a bunch of aunties chanting, my head is about to explode. You don't know..."

Tao Tao Tao Tao rambled on about things at home. In general, it was because he was a live-in son-in-law, and he was usually unreliable. In the past, only two or three people criticized him, but during the New Year, all the relatives came, and the number multiplied several times. Whoever saw him didn't like him, and even his thick skin couldn't take it, so he ran away to avoid disaster.

After saying so much, he sighed and asked: "Wang Laoban, how is A-Bao doing, do you know?"

"He won. If Qiang Mujie doesn't jump off a building, he should be in prison after the New Year."

"Did he break the law?"

"He drained Boss Bao's funds and spent money to buy Li Li's Zhi Zhen Yuan; this is a violation of fund misappropriation. Of course, if there hadn't been this, there should have been other things. Saying he could only win is a bit excessive, but that he could lose a little at most is real, understand?"

Li Li's matter was like taking off one's pants to fart; of course, Li Li did make money. But in the end, it was that Li Li didn't want to use Wang Yan's money to pay off the debt of the dead Mr. A, and wanted to earn it herself; she had ambition. If it weren't for this point, Li Li wouldn't have had a part in this confrontation; Wang Yan would have settled it long ago, even if he had to smash Qiang Mujie to death.

By then, Qiang Mujie would have gone crazy, and he would have operated in violation of regulations, or mobilized funds in violation of regulations, expanding the intensity of the struggle of the apparel company this time. Relatively speaking, Qiang Mujie's ending is basically the same as the original drama, which can be considered saving his life. After all, if the capital scale had really been upgraded and he had still lost, he wouldn't have been able to go to prison even if he wanted to; he would have had to jump off a building. It wouldn't have been possible not to jump. Come to think of it, he still has to thank Master Wang for not targeting him intentionally.

"I understand, it means no matter what, this Qiang Mujie has to go in." Teacher Ge took over the conversation.

"He doesn't necessarily have to go in."

Tao Tao Tao Tao gave a knowing sigh, then asked: "Then did you make a fortune?"

"Earned 100 million."

"Oh, I don't even dare to think about it. Look at Wang Laoban, so understated."

Wang Yan knew that Tao Tao Tao Tao would definitely ask for the specific number, saving him a lot of nonsense. He wasn't going to show off to Tao Tao Tao Tao and the others; after all, they couldn't feel it.

He smiled and turned to ask Seeing Lingzi, "Do you have any thoughts?"

"What thoughts could I have? My thought now is, you made money, so you should continue to invest in Night Tokyo to open branches."

Seeing Lingzi hadn't changed; she just changed to a more generous man to get money from.

When he was on Huanghe Road, Boss Bao should have remembered the past with Seeing Lingzi...

There was laughter in Night Tokyo, still the same people who gathered together for the New Year for the first time back then; it seemed everything was still the way it was before... ===== CHAPTER 1013 =====