Chapter Forty-Nine: Stock Price Fluctuations

“Damn, what the hell? I was just gone for a minute to use the restroom, and Leaf Willow Group hit the limit down.”

“Their shareholders are holding a press conference—turns out the group’s artificial intelligence was a sham, a ploy to pump up the stock price and cash out.”

“Damn it, these bastards are outrageous.”

“Run, if you don’t get out now, you’ll be trapped.”

The moment Tong Tiexing’s press conference began, the group’s stock price plummeted straight to the floor.

The market was in chaos; everyone scrambled to sell, desperate not to be caught in the downward spiral.

...

“Mr. Liu, Leaf Willow Group’s stock is at limit down—what do we do?”

“How can that be?”

Grudges aside, business is business. Mr. Liu managed to swallow his anger and hadn’t made a move against Ye Qiu because he hadn’t just held onto Leaf Willow Group’s shares—he’d actually bought another hundred million. Not only himself, as the leader of his circle of cronies, he’d roped them in too.

Now, hearing news of the stock’s collapse, he leisurely opened his trading system and mocked the man: “Your family’s supposedly middle class, but stocks fluctuate all the time. With nerves like yours, you’re hardly fit for trading...”

“Damn, how did it hit the limit down?”

“Look for yourself.”

Xiang Dong opened a streaming app and handed it to Mr. Liu.

Tong Tiexing was now standing at the company gates, flanked by Xue Qing and others, facing countless reporters and media, accusing Liu Yiran of fleecing shareholders, manipulating employees, and claiming her behavior was worse than that of the chaebols in South Korea.

“Sell now!”

Mr. Liu couldn’t wait to dump his shares.

The massive sell-off triggered even greater panic.

He’d originally bought in at the floor price, caught a limit up, and pocketed a tidy 20% profit.

Mr. Liu was excited.

He’d invested a hundred million and brought his cronies along for the ride.

Now, with prices slammed to the floor, not only were his gains gone, but his principal was at risk.

“Damn it, never thought I’d end up as a sucker myself.”

Mr. Liu was utterly frustrated.

He’d always thought of himself as a hotshot investor, but now realized he was just a slightly larger sucker.

“Should I sell?” Xiang Dong’s hands were shaking.

With Mr. Liu claiming to have insider information, Xiang Dong never doubted—this was a golden opportunity.

He not only put in all his savings, but borrowed heavily from loan sharks.

He’d bought in yesterday; selling now would mean losing 10%.

But if he didn’t? What if tomorrow brought another limit down?

Besides, even if he wanted to sell, there might not be buyers.

Hesitating, Xiang Dong saw Mr. Liu breathe a long sigh of relief: “Good thing I sold fast, or I’d be trapped by that wretch.”

“I thought I’d make some easy money and deal with you later, but since you brought this on yourself, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Mr. Liu chuckled coldly. Seeing Xiang Dong still hesitate, he couldn’t help but mock him: “You fool, what are you waiting for? Sell now. Learn from me: to succeed, you must be ready to cut your losses without hesitation.”

...

“Liu Yiran, do you dare to present your so-called Willow Leaf in front of everyone at the company gates?”

Tong Tiexing was certain that Liu Yiran’s so-called artificial intelligence was merely a more advanced program, and he was fully prepared.

With the stock at limit down, he’d quietly unloaded all the shares he had accumulated in the secondary market. Though he lost half, it was better than losing everything.

“Sis.”

“Leaf, you’re here.”

Liu Yiran stood at the gate; the shareholders who once supported her now stood behind Tong Tiexing.

Many company executives had also sided with Tong Tiexing.

“Mr. Ye, the secondary market is absorbing the shares,” Mary said, discreetly gesturing toward Liu Yiran. “But at this rate, the stock might rebound. With Tong Tiexing stepping in, this is a rare opportunity.”

“Let it be. Sis has her principles.”

Ye Qiu waved his hand. “Take as much as you can. It’s surprising the executives are backing Tong Tiexing.”

“There’s a saying: ‘All the hustle in the world is for profit.’ The group implemented an employee shareholding plan—whoever can boost the stock price gets management’s support.”

“How’s it going on Tong Tiexing’s side?”

“To prevent his holdings from being diluted, he chose to inject capital. His cash flow is tight—only the bank remains as an option.”

Ye Qiu nodded.

As they spoke, Liu Yiran summoned Willow Leaf.

Compared to the last tech conference, Willow Leaf’s appearance had matured further, gradually becoming more like an elegant, commanding woman.

Compared to Second Sister, the eldest was clearly more mature.

“Hello everyone, I’m Willow Leaf.”

Willow Leaf’s virtual image materialized before the crowd, eliciting gasps of astonishment.

Last time was a product launch—everyone was prepared. This time, Tong Tiexing had orchestrated a public confrontation, yet Willow Leaf’s virtual presence still appeared, leaving everyone puzzled.

Tong Tiexing’s expression darkened; he hadn’t expected Willow Leaf to show up at the gates.

He scanned the surroundings, searching for projection equipment to expose Liu Yiran, but with so many people, nothing was visible.

Steeling himself, Tong Tiexing spoke in a deep voice: “President Liu, we need an explanation.”

“Explain what?” Liu Yiran looked at him coolly. “Chairman Tong, if you have questions, you can approach me privately. By doing this, you’re disregarding company secrets—I have the right to revoke your board membership.”

“President Liu, don’t try to intimidate me.” Chu Shu, unfazed before the cameras, even angled her graceful figure for the lenses.

“We are not you. We care about every investor, about their interests. Your shameless behavior, hiking stock prices at shareholders’ expense, must be stopped. You must make the artificial intelligence project public.”

“Chu Shu, you’ve been dismissed. What right do you have to demand anything from the group?”

Chu Shu was left speechless.

If Liu Yiran argued with her, Chu Shu had countless ways to provoke and entangle.

But Liu Yiran deftly sidestepped her trap, announcing her dismissal before everyone, fueling Chu Shu’s prideful rage.

“Shu Shu, come back,” Tong Tiexing stepped forward. “President Liu, do I have the right now?”

Liu Yiran nodded. “I told you during financing, otherwise you wouldn’t have invested. Besides, this is the company’s top secret. Do you expect me to reveal it in public?”

Unable to restrain herself, Chu Shu snorted. “I knew you’d say that. You claim Willow Leaf is artificial intelligence? Fine, it’s easy to prove.”

Chu Shu paused, drawing everyone’s attention, then raised her voice: “As long as it can prove itself as artificial intelligence, that's enough.”