Chapter 11: I Personally Invest 690 Million

The blessings of "Vigor" and "Quick Thinking" placed Qin Feng in an optimal peak state. He did not dwell in the satisfaction of his initial victory but immediately turned his attention to a broader battlefield—the financial market.

The circuit breaker decline of Tianhai Group was merely the beginning. Such massive negative news could not be absorbed by a single circuit breaker. Panic would spread, stampedes would intensify, and it might even trigger a downturn across the entire local real estate sector.

And to Qin Feng, who held nearly six hundred million in cash and possessed the skill "Investment Insight (Beginner)," this was not just risk—it was opportunity!

Short it!

The word instantly flashed through his mind.

In the A-share market, retail investors faced strict restrictions on direct short-selling of individual stocks, but could indirectly achieve it through margin lending to sell short or by purchasing put options tied to the target stock (if available). However, Tianhai Group was not eligible for margin trading, and the options market likely had no corresponding product.

But this did not deter Qin Feng.

He swiftly shifted his thinking. Tianhai Group was the local real estate leader; its collapse would inevitably spark market concerns and selling pressure against other developers in the same region and category. Was there a target closely linked to Tianhai Group, similar in business, and open to short-selling? For example, an ETF listed in Hong Kong or the U. S. that held bonds of Chinese real estate companies, or upstream/downstream firms with heavy business ties to Tianhai Group?

His mind, amplified by the blessing effects and guided by "Investment Insight (Beginner)," rapidly filtered potential targets.

Soon, he locked onto a fund primarily traded in Hong Kong, heavily weighted with bonds from second- and third-tier mainland real estate companies. This fund exhibited high price volatility and allowed margin trading (leveraged short-selling). Tianhai Group's crisis would very likely trigger market fears of default among similar real estate bonds, crushing the fund's price!

That was it!

Without hesitation, Qin Feng used his overseas broker account (the system had already handled all legal and compliant overseas identity and financial account setups during initial binding), deployed five hundred million as margin, and established a massive short position in the fund with a leverage of 10x!

Fast. Precise. Brutal.

Shortly after he completed his position, perhaps due to the panic effect of Tianhai Group's circuit breaker spreading across markets, or perhaps because other sharp funds had also spotted the opportunity, the price of that Hong Kong fund began to reverse downward, with losses rapidly expanding!

-2%, -5%, -8%!

Under leverage, Qin Feng's unrealized profits surged like an avalanche!

He did not let temporary victory cloud his judgment. Calmly, he set his take-profit and stop-loss levels, then stopped watching. Short-term market fluctuations were unpredictable—he relied on trend analysis and the insight granted by his system skill, not gambler's instinct.

Having settled his financial market positioning, Qin Feng turned his gaze to the real world.

Tianhai Group's crisis was, for him, also an opportunity to consolidate resources and expand his influence.

He contacted Chen Yongming again.

"Mr. Qin, the Economic Crimes Division has received the evidence we submitted and has pledged to take it seriously and investigate according to law," Chen Yongming reported. "Also, Zhao Tianhai has temporarily halted his irregular investigations—he may have realized he kicked a hornet's nest. He's now frantically putting out fires, trying to stabilize banks and suppliers."

"Hmm." Qin Feng replied coolly. "Chen lawyer, based on your professional judgment, what is Tianhai Group's most valuable asset, and the one most eager to sell for cash flow right now?"

Chen Yongming paused briefly, then answered immediately: "The controlling stake in Xingyao Department Store! Xingyao has three flagship stores in prime locations in Jincheng, owns the properties outright, and has maintained stable cash flow—it's one of Tianhai Group's premium assets. There were rumors Zhao Tianhai planned to spin it off for an IPO. Now, desperate for cash, he's likely to sell this equity stake—or even the entire business!"

Xingyao Department Store? Qin Feng knew this established local department store—its location was excellent, its heritage deep, though its business model had grown outdated in recent years. But if he could acquire it, whether to upgrade and redevelop it himself or simply hold it as a premium asset, it would be an excellent choice.

"Find a way to reach out to Tianhai Group and express our interest in Xingyao Department Store," Qin Feng instructed. "Be firm in tone—we're in a buyer's market now."

"Understood! I'll act immediately!" Chen Yongming understood perfectly. This was the perfect moment to strike while the iron was hot… no, the ideal moment for business negotiation!

Events unfolded faster than expected.

That same afternoon, Tianhai Group responded, willing to negotiate the sale of Xingyao Department Store's controlling stake. Clearly, their cash flow had reached its breaking point.

The negotiation venue was set in a conference room at a luxury hotel.

On Qin Feng's side, only he and Chen Yongming attended. On Tianhai Group's side, Zhao Tianhai led the delegation, accompanied by several executives and lawyers—a formidable presence, yet every face bore unmistakable exhaustion and anxiety.

When Zhao Tianhai saw the unnaturally young, composed Qin Feng seated at the head of the table, his eyelid twitched violently. His gaze was complex—anger, wariness, and a trace of disbelief at his own defeat. He had dominated the business world for decades, never imagining he'd be brought down by an obscure young man.

"Mr. Qin… truly, heroes emerge from the young," Zhao Tianhai said, voice hoarse with heavy sarcasm.

"Chairman Zhao, flattery aside. Let's get to business," Qin Feng ignored his emotion entirely, cutting straight to the point. "Xingyao Department Store—51% controlling stake. What's your price?"

A Tianhai Group executive produced prepared documents: "According to valuation, Xingyao Department Store's total value is approximately 1.35 billion RMB. The 51% equity stake corresponds to 688.5 million RMB. Given current circumstances, we are willing to accept a transaction price of 690 million RMB."

Upon hearing this figure, everyone from Tianhai Group held their breath, watching Qin Feng anxiously. This was nearly the fastest way they could imagine to secure emergency cash.

Chen Yongming was about to follow convention and haggle, but Qin Feng raised his hand to stop him.

In the stunned silence of all present, Qin Feng leaned forward slightly, his gaze calm and steady as he looked directly into Zhao Tianhai's haggard face, his tone quiet yet carrying undeniable authority:

"Agreed."

"I personally will invest 690 million."

The conference room fell utterly silent.

Everyone from Tianhai Group froze. They had prepared every possible bargaining tactic—yet never expected such an immediate, unreserved acceptance! Even Chen Yongming looked at Qin Feng in surprise.

A flicker of shock passed through Zhao Tianhai's cloudy eyes, then hardened into deeper gloom. He understood: this was not goodwill—it was a more humiliating display of absolute power and control. What I want, the price? Irrelevant. I am taking it.

The sheer audacity of casually deploying nearly 700 million—more shocking than any verbal duel!

"Mr. Qin… you're direct!" Zhao Tianhai gritted out the words through clenched teeth, face ashen. He knew: from this moment, one of Tianhai Group's core premium assets would bear the Qin surname. And all of it stemmed from his worthless son provoking this demon.

"The contract details will be handled by Lawyer Chen," Qin Feng stood, straightening his suit as if he'd just decided on a transaction of a few yuan. "I expect the transfer completed as soon as possible."

He did not glance at Zhao Tianhai again, walking straight toward the conference room door.

As he pulled the door open, his step paused slightly. He turned his head, speaking softly enough only for those nearby to hear:

"Chairman Zhao, pass on my message to Zhao Kun."

"His car scratch was well done. I hope he likes this 'gift'."

With that, Qin Feng stepped out, leaving behind a deathly silence and Zhao Tianhai's face, instantly pale, trembling violently.

Kill the body, destroy the spirit.

Stepping out of the hotel, the evening wind carried a chill.

Qin Feng took a deep breath, feeling his still-vigorous energy. His phone vibrated—a broker alert: that Hong Kong fund had closed down 15%. His short position had earned over seventy million in a single day!

Short-selling profit, acquiring premium assets at low prices… Tianhai Group's crisis had become his perfect life lever.

He pulled out his phone, seeing countless messages in the "Wind Rises" livestream urging him to fulfill his hundred-thousand-rupee lottery promise. He smiled faintly.

"System, activate today's Blessing Key. Target: all users participating in the livestream lottery."

A faint glimmer of gold light flashed.

【Blessing activated: Minor Fortune (slight). Scope: livestream lottery participants. Duration: 12 hours.】

Let this "Minor Fortune" from the system serve as his way of fulfilling the promise. As for the ten cash prizes of 100,000 each? He would still draw them—but this added fortune might mean more to some people.

He looked up at the city now lit by evening lights, his gaze deep.

Xingyao Department Store is only the first step.

His commercial empire will officially expand from here.