Chapter 259: Preparing to Return to Hong Kong

After the market opened on Wednesday, the trend was completely different from the previous two days.

Although affected by the prior two days, the rise was not obvious, but it was indeed going up.

And IBM, just as Chen Mo had expected, kept falling.

By three p. m., IBM's stock had dropped to $95, a very low price.

Chen Mo thought for a moment and decided it was time to sell the out‑of‑the‑money put options.

Although it hadn't yet reached the lowest point Chen Mo remembered, its downward trend was already slowing.

IBM is Meiliguo's "Blue Giant," long‑dominant in the global mainframe market; before personal computers and cheap minicomputers fully rose, its core business wouldn't be greatly affected, and its stock value remained high.

Instead of waiting for it to keep falling, it's better to act now and capture a higher time premium.

"Pite, Hengli, ask how much our out‑of‑the‑money put options are worth now?"

Soon after asking, Pite replied, "Boss, it's $23 now."

"Good, sell all the contracts we hold!"

The time premium is still $3; if we wait longer, it might not even be worth $3.

Following Chen Mo's order, the two quickly dialed the exchange and began selling the out‑of‑the‑money put options.

Before the market closed, they successfully sold all ten million out‑of‑the‑money put contracts.

Chen Mo's account received another $230 million; with a cost of $30 million, the net profit was $200 million.

"Jimi, contact the tax lawyer and accountant; tomorrow go to Merrill Lynch to settle the taxes. Once the money is in, we should return to Gangdao."

"Great! Finally we can go back!"

At the mention of returning to Gangdao, Ahua got excited right away.

Ahua never really went to school, his English is average, and he can't handle the tasks Chen Mo assigns.

He came to New York this time only to broaden his horizons; his sole role is to be a good photographer.

But following Chen Mo and the other two all day as a photographer is exhausting!

There's nothing as comfortable as going back to Gangdao, hugging a girl, and being the boss!

Chen Mo's other subordinates were also happy to hear they could go back.

They aren't really tired; being bodyguards has become routine and not boring—they simply can't get used to the food.

All native mainlanders, they can barely tolerate the food on Gangdao, but in Meiliguo, eating Western meals every day is almost unbearable.

The next day, Jimi went to Merrill Lynch with the tax lawyer and accountant.

Since Merrill Lynch withholds the tax, it can be handled without Chen Mo's presence.

As for transferring the funds back to Gangdao, that was pre‑arranged with Dan nie er.

In the afternoon, Jimi returned to report to Chen Mo.

"Mo Ge, the tax issue is solved. State and city income taxes together total $120 million, already withheld by Merrill Lynch."

The rest of the funds, Dan nie er promised to move to our Citibank Gangdao branch account within three days; whether we keep the money at Citibank or transfer it elsewhere will be up to us.

Chen Mo lightly nodded; $120 million in tax isn't much.

His profit this time was about $1.87 billion; after deducting the $500 million used for bottom‑purchasing, $1.37 billion remains to be taxed.

$120 million in tax is less than nine percent.

"Did Dan nie er say what method he'll use to transfer the funds?"

Jimi shook his head: "No. But his expression seemed troubled; the process probably isn't simple."

Chen Mo scoffed: "How hard could it be? Even if he doesn't say, I can guess it roughly; the old guy is just putting on a show for you."

"He's probably waiting for us to sell our stocks next time, then trying to skim off some extra profit from us."

Dan nie er indeed thought that way.

The $500 million of stocks Chen Mo bottom‑bought this time have already risen over 8% in just these two days, and are still climbing.

If nothing unexpected happens, Chen Mo will definitely sell them at a high point later.

Then, if Chen Mo's funds still need to be moved back to Gangdao, he can use that as leverage.

Although this will only happen later, making Chen Mo's people think it's difficult now creates a basis for negotiating terms later!

Chen Mo is too lazy to fuss over Dan nie er's scheming; safely moving his $1.6 billion back to Gangdao is what matters most.

"Since Dan nie er needs three days to transfer all the funds, we'll wait three more days. Jimi, arrange the tickets for three days later; once the money is in, we'll leave."

Anyway, Hong Kong stocks are currently suspended; they'll plunge when the market opens next Monday.

To bottom‑buy Hong Kong stocks, returning in three days is perfectly timely.

Perfect timing to enjoy the parts of New York we haven't explored yet during these last few days.

Hmm, and spar with Kristin, that big ocean horse, some more.

From then on, Chen Mo spent the days escorting Gang Sheng and Qiu Di on shopping trips, and at night, after wearing them out, he slipped into another room to fight Kristin, returning at dawn with his back still upright.

These days passed, tiring yet happy.

Until the third night, Chen Mo was about to follow Gang Sheng and Qiu Di back to the bedroom when they stopped him.

"Mo Ge, we're exhausted after these two days; go wherever you want, stop bothering us. We have a flight back tomorrow; let us rest for a night, okay?"

Chen Mo gave an awkward smile: "Well, I really do have a proper matter. Bringing glory to the country, uh, bringing glory to the country!"

Kristin truly lives up to the big ocean horse nickname; her constitution is excellent, and her solo combat power far surpasses the combined strength of Gang Sheng and Qiu Di.

She hadn't even surrendered, yet Gang Sheng and Qiu Di gave up first.

Tonight, without Gang Sheng and Qiu Di's first half, Chen Mo could finally unleash his full strength, thoroughly subduing Kristin, the "oh…yeah…" echoing through the night.

Of course, that night Chen Mo didn't need to brace his back; he walked back upright!

The next day, the group packed their luggage, completed check‑out, and took the hotel's limousine to the airport.

In the departure lounge, Chen Mo saw Jimi staring at a sheet of paper with a furrowed brow and asked, "Jimi, what's wrong?"

Jimi lifted his head, frowned, and said: "The hotel might have miscalculated for us—there's an extra room on the bill, costing us several thousand US dollars."

"Eh, it's just several thousand dollars, what's a big deal, doesn't matter.... hiss—"

Before Chen Mo could finish speaking, a sharp pain shot through the soft flesh on both sides of his waist.

Gang Sheng and Qiu Di were staring at Chen Mo with narrowed smiles, their hands still twisting his waist.

Even though Chen Mo's physique was extremely tough, facing this women's ultimate move, he also felt a bit unable to withstand it.